Senior Software Acquisition Engineer

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.

Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) staff couple the latest in information system technologies, such as elastic compute clouds, containerization, microservices, real-time operating systems, and visualization frameworks, with expertise in cyber security, software architecture, software engineering, data science, Artificial Intelligence, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software‑intensive systems to our Intelligence Community, DoD, and civilian customers.

Do cool work that matters in an industry that's booming! We are looking for a Senior Software Acquisition Engineer (Software Architecture Engineering and Systems Software Engineering) to join our growing Software Systems and Acquisition Department. Our customers in the Missile Defense Agency, Space Force, Air Force, other federal agencies, and commercial industry need your help to acquire cutting‑edge software capabilities to chase the future!

This is a full‑time position located in Huntsville, AL and requires 100% onsite work.

• Be the go‑to person in providing software systems engineering expertise to support effective acquisition of software‑reliant systems from pre‑acquisition planning through source selection, development, integration and test, and deployment.
• Work shoulder-to-shoulder with customers and contractors to shape and execute software specifics in complex acquisition programs.
• Deliver expertise in rapid iterative and incremental software development approaches (such as Agile, Scrum, Scaled Agile Framework, Lean Software Development, and/or Dev Sec Ops ) and assist customers in applying these techniques to achieve mission success.
• Lead engineering analyses and studies such as software requirements development and flow; verification and validation approaches; readiness reviews; risk management; technology planning and insertion; performance assessments; and/or market research.
• Learn and apply advanced software reliability concepts to ensure the trustworthiness of mission critical systems.
• Research challenge problems, test hypotheses, innovate new approaches and tools, and/or prove concepts.
• Mentor junior staff as you grow your own career.

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, with emphasis in computer science, software engineering, computer or information systems, management sciences, or a closely related technical discipline.
• 12 years or more of professional software engineering experience.
• Hands‑on experience in the development of complex, software‑reliant systems.
• Experience using Agile/Dev Sec Ops  software development or Agile project management.
• Experience deriving requirements from high‑level system requirements and design concepts or developing multiple levels of requirements from technical gaps.
• Experience in algorithm development, algorithm validation, and/or translating algorithms to working software.
• Experience collaborating on the development of solutions to complex technical problems, including research into applicability of new technologies.
• Proven ability to take initiative and successfully complete tasks, lead complex technical projects, and collaborate effectively.
• Willingness and ability to travel locally or occasionally overnight to work locations or customer sites domestically, approximately 10‑20%.
• This 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.

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these:

• A…