Cloud Systems Engineer / Senior Cloud Systems 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.

At Aerospace, we are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace for all employees to share in our common passion and aspiration – to carry out a mission much bigger than ourselves.

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, process improvement, and software development to deliver responsive, resilient, high-performance software intensive systems to our IC, DoD, and civilian customers.

The Cloud Platforms and Architectures Department goes beyond traditional software systems design and IT application hosting environments to provide our customers with guidance and solutions for developing/deploying/managing highly secure, available, resilient, and scalable software systems utilizing cloud technologies and cloud native application architectures. The Engineering Specialist contributes to delivery of these services. If you’re a passionate and driven individual who is excited about developing advanced computing solutions that keep our nation at the forefront of space systems capabilities, consider joining our team of talented engineers. 

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in either Chantilly, VA or El Segundo, CA offering a hybrid work model that combines 3 regular onsite workdays and remote flexibility as the business needs allow. 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Providing cloud technologies, cloud application/platform/infrastructure architecture, site reliability engineering, cloud systems engineering, and cloud security expertise to DoD, IC, and Civil Space customers. Services to these customers include:
  • Product Analysis of Alternatives and Proof-of-Concept prototyping
  • Architecture risk analysis assessments
  • Reference cloud architectures and cloud architectural design solutions, such as multi/hybrid cloud; serverless; and edge computing models, tailored to a particular domain (e.g., ground enterprise, space) and customer requirements
  • Development of software engineering processes and procedures to support provisioning and management of cloud infrastructures and platforms
  • Cloud cost estimation and migration strategies
• Mentoring junior technical staff and growing departmental knowledge through work and training assignments, and technical leadership.

What You Need to be Successful:

Minimum Requirements for the Cloud Systems Engineer/  Engineering Specialist

• Bachelor’s degree in  STEM, Computer Science or other sciences/engineering discipline
• 8 or more years of relevant experience directly related to developing and delivering complex large-scale distributed software systems solutions and technical products
• In-depth, hands-on experience in at least one of the following four technical disciplines:
  • Cloud Infrastructure
    • Commercial cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
    • Virtualization (e.g., VMware, Linux KVM)
    • Unix/Linux operating system internals and administration
    • TCP/IP networking
    • Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Ansible, Terraform)
  • Cloud Platforms
    • Container runtimes (e.g., Docker engine, containerd, CRI-O)
    • Kubernetes (e.g., vanilla, RKE, EKS, AKS, GKE)
    • Service meshes (e.g., Istio)
  • Cloud Native Application Development
    • Application design, implementation, and containerization
    • DevSecOps CI/CD pipelines
    • Microservices architecture
    • Twelve-factor application methodology
  • Cloud Security
    • Identity and Access Management
    • Logging and monitoring
    • Cloud network security
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal and working relationships with various levels of corporate staff, peers, management, program offices, customers, and contractors
• Outstanding communication skills: interpersonal (demonstrated in working diplomatically across organizations and tactfully advising decision makers), presentation (demonstrated in briefings), and written communications skills (demonstrated in design documents, technical reports or publications)
• A commitment to delivering on organizational goals
• 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.

What You Need to be Successful – Senior Engineering Specialist

In addition to the above, the minimum requirements for the Cloud Systems Engineer, a Senior Cloud Systems Engineer/ Senior Engineering Specialist include:

• All of the above requirements for Cloud Platforms Engineer – Engineering Specialist
• 12 or more years of relevant experience directly related to developing and delivering complex large-scale distributed software systems solutions and technical products

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Advanced degree from an accredited program in Computer Science or other sciences/engineering discipline
• Hands-on experience designing, implementing, and operating cloud platforms and infrastructures supporting real users
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing complex, distributed cloud native applications supporting real users
• Working knowledge of every layer in a cloud technology stack (e.g., physical infrastructure, virtualization infrastructure, operating systems, application hosting platforms, cloud native application design)

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)

$117,300 – $226,900

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 diverse 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/Affirmative Action employer. We believe that a diverse workforce creates an environment in which unique ideas are developed and differing perspectives are valued, producing superior customer solutions. 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 ieo.mailbox@aero.org. You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, as well as the Pay Transparency Policy Statement.