IC 2027 Systems Architect

About the role

The Enterprise Effects Division (EED) drives integration of Aerospace’s strategic capabilities across the national space enterprise, spanning concept and architecture design to performance assessment and application of space‑enabled capabilities. The Architecture Concepts Department (ArCon) provides architecture methods, processes, and tools to customers such as National Space Security, NASA, NOAA, NNSA, DHS, and others. ArCon staff lead architecture trade studies, conceptualization studies, modeling tasks, and program assessment analyses across space, ground, communications, and network domains.

Work model

This position follows an in‑person work model with a minimum of four days per week onsite in Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA. Travel domestically and internationally is required approximately 5‑10%.

Responsibilities

• Participate in architecture studies of varying system complexity, including multidisciplinary engineering teams, problem framing, gap analysis, and trade‑space assessment.
• Learn and apply disciplined system architecting methods, processes, and tools in architecture‑level assessment, modeling, analysis, and conceptual design activities.
• Use, develop, and integrate analytical methods and tools to evaluate architectural concepts and system conceptual designs for cost, schedule, performance, risk, resilience to disruptive events or threats, and other characteristics.
• Work with Aerospace program office, customer, and contractor personnel to elicit and identify needs, requirements, and constraints; support scoping, planning, and execution of studies; and communicate task status, methods, results, and recommendations in briefings and formal technical reports.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, science, or related technical field (pursuing or conferred within the last 12 months).
• 0‑1 year of industry experience.
• Prior internship with The Aerospace Corporation.
• Experience or coursework in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, concept design, and/or model‑based systems engineering.
• Excellent interpersonal, networking, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to learn new skills through self‑study and proactive engagement with mentors and subject‑matter experts.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (≈5‑10%).
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Transcripts required.

Preferred qualifications

• Demonstrated success organizing and leading cross‑functional, cross‑organizational teams to execute studies and generate quality products.
• Experience with space system architecture conceptual design, analysis, and concurrent engineering techniques.
• Experience with spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch systems, missile systems, nuclear weapon systems, and/or aircraft systems.
• Relevant work or graduate‑school experience in system or enterprise architecting, systems engineering, model‑based systems engineering, or digital engineering.
• Hands‑on experience with system or enterprise modeling in SysML, UAF, or UPDM.
• Current active TS/SCI security clearance.

Compensation

Grade‑based pay range: $80,000 – $90,000 per year (annual basis). Individual salaries are determined by education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) plan with company contributions of 8 %, 10 %, or 12 % of eligible compensation based on years of service; immediate eligibility and vesting.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable‑pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs.
• Education assistance programs.
• Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.