Data Architect

The Aerospace Corporation is the trusted partner to the nation’s space programs, solving the hardest problems and providing unmatched technical expertise. As the operator of a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC), we are broadly engaged across all aspects of space— delivering innovative solutions that span satellite, launch, ground, and cyber systems for defense, civil and commercial customers. When you join our team, you’ll be part of a special collection of problem solvers, thought leaders, and innovators. Join us and take your place in space. The Digital Innovation Division (DID) is accountable for generating and executing integrated strategies, providing governance, and managing internal investments that form the foundation of Aerospace’s digital transformation. The Digital Innovation Division is seeking an experienced Data Architect to design, govern, and modernize enterprise data capabilities across a complex technical environment. This role will be responsible for developing scalable data architectures, improving data interoperability, enabling trusted analytics, and supporting the organization’s broader digital transformation goals. You will work across mission, business, engineering, cybersecurity, and IT stakeholders to ensure that data is treated as a strategic asset. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical depth, practical implementation experience, and the ability to translate enterprise needs into durable data architecture patterns, standards, and solutions. Work Model : 100% onsite; Chantilly, Colorado Springs, El Segundo. What You’ll Be Doing Develop and maintain enterprise data architecture frameworks, reference architectures, design patterns, and standards. Define target-state data architectures that support analytics, AI/ML, digital engineering, mission applications, and enterprise reporting. Assess current-state data environments, identify gaps, and develop practical roadmaps for modernization. Design architectures for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data across cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and classified networks Design conceptual, logical, and physical data models for enterprise and mission systems. Support integration across legacy systems, data platforms, software factories, analytics environments, and business applications. Ensure architecture decisions align with governance, security, compliance, privacy, and mission requirements. Advise on data platform capabilities, including data lakes, warehouses, lakehouses , catalogs, pipelines, streaming platforms, knowledge graphs, and API layers. Architect data foundations that enable reliable AI/ML development, model training, retrieval-augmented generation, advanced analytics, and operational decision support. Translate technical architecture concepts into clear guidance for executives, program leaders, engineers, analysts, and data owners. Facilitate architecture reviews, working groups, and design sessions. Produce clear architecture artifacts, including diagrams, roadmaps, standards, decision records, and implementation guidance. What You Need to be Successful Minimum Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science , Data Engineering, Computer Engineering, SW Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent work experience). 7 + years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations Significant experience designing enterprise data architectures in complex organizations. Strong knowledge of data modeling, data integration, metadata management, data quality, and data governance. Experience with modern data platforms such as cloud data warehouses, data lakes, lakehouses , relational databases, NoSQL stores, or distributed processing platforms. Experience designing APIs, data pipelines, data exchange patterns, or integration architectures. Working knowledge of security, access control, compliance, and data protection principles. Demonstrated ability to produce architecture artifacts, technical standards, and implementation roadmaps. Strong problem-solving skills, with a strategic mindset and the ability to design and evolve enterprise-scale data ecosystems. Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Excellent interpersonal skills, with a proven track record of fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing across diverse teams. Demonstrated ability for innovation, creativeness, resourcefulness, and initiative. Position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. How You Can Stand Out It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: Advanced degree in STEM or other technical discipline. 1 0 + years of increasingly responsible professional experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role. Certifications in cloud (AWS, Azure), DevOps, or security (CISSP, CISA). Direct mission experience in the national space domain, missile defense, and/or remote sensing. Experience with tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Neo4j, Kafka, Airflow, dbt , Collibra, Alation, Informatica, or similar platforms. Experience with AI/ML data preparation, feature stores, vector databases, knowledge graphs, or retrieval-augmented generation architectures. Experience supporting classified, cross-domain, or multi-network environments. Familiarity with DevSecOps , DataOps , GitOps , CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, and automated data quality testing. Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks, architecture review boards, or technical governance bodies. Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI Clearance We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge and skills. (Min - Max) $155,900.00 - $233,900.00 Pay Basis: Annual Leadership Competencies Our leadership philosophy is simple: every employee, regardless of level and role, can demonstrate leadership. At Aerospace, our commitment is our people. To cultivate our talent and ensure that we have a strong pipeline of future leaders, we want individuals who: Operate Strategically Lead Change Engage with Impact Foster Innovation Deliver Results Ways We Reward Our Employees During your interview process, our team will provide details of our industry-leading benefits. Benefits vary and are applicable based on Job Type. A few highlights include: Comprehensive health care and wellness plans Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire Flexible spending accounts Variable pay program for exceptional contributions Relocation assistance Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career Education assistance programs An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect We are all unique, from various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation. Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at [email protected] . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal .