Software Engineer

aero; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Aerospace Corporation in Chantilly, VA is seeking a Member of Technical Staff to advance software development, process engineering, and program support within the Software Process and Architecture Department. You will contribute to large-scale, software-intensive systems across the full acquisition lifecycle.

Ideal candidates have a proven track record in software development, strong analytical abilities, and a commitment to engineering excellence, with the ability to work across DoD, IC,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (CS/CE/EE/Math) required.
• Minimum 2 years of professional software development experience.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Experience across the software development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development and delivery of Aerospace internal software projects.
• Provide expert software process guidance and technical consultation for internal software development initiatives.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of project plans, progress reports, and technical deliverables for software development projects.
• Review, tailor, and optimize software process standards for software-intensive system acquisition programs.
• Develop and refine software process maturity assessment instruments and evaluation frameworks.
• Conduct rigorous software product and process assessments of contractor deliverables on behalf of Aerospace customers.
• Perform detailed reviews of software acquisition documentation, including development plans, test strategies, measurement frameworks, architectural designs, and quality assurance reports.
• Define and specify software measurements, metrics, and key performance indicators aligned with program objectives.
• Analyze and interpret software metrics data, providing actionable insights and strategic recommendations to program office stakeholders.
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic matrix organization.

Skills

Software development

Technical communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Job description

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.

The Software Process and Architecture Department is seeking an accomplished Member of Technical Staff with demonstrated expertise in software development, process engineering, and technical program support. This role offers experienced software developers the opportunity to leverage their technical acumen while supporting critical Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and civilian space system acquisitions.

The ideal candidate will bring a proven track record in software development, combined with strong analytical capabilities and a commitment to engineering excellence. This position offers unique exposure to large-scale, software-intensive systems across the full acquisition lifecycle.

Work Model : Full-time, 100% onsite in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Contribute to the development and delivery of Aerospace internal software projects, applying industry best practices and modern development methodologies
• Provide expert software process guidance and technical consultation for internal software development initiatives
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of project plans, progress reports, and technical deliverables for software development projects
• Review, tailor, and optimize software process standards for application in software-intensive system acquisition programs
• Develop and refine software process maturity assessment instruments and evaluation frameworks
• Conduct rigorous software product and process assessments of contractor deliverables on behalf of Aerospace customers
• Perform detailed reviews of software acquisition documentation, including development plans, test strategies, measurement frameworks, architectural designs, and quality assurance reports
• Define and specify software measurements, metrics, and key performance indicators aligned with program objectives
• Analyze and interpret software metrics data, providing actionable insights and strategic recommendations to program office stakeholders
• Collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams in a dynamic matrix organization

What You Need to be Successful - Member of Technical Staff- Job Family

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a closely related STEM discipline
• Minimum of two (2) years of professional software development experience
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to produce technical documentation and deliver professional presentations
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with proven ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders
• Strong technical foundation with clearly demonstrated expertise across the software development lifecycle, including:
• Requirements specification and analysis
• Software architecture and design
• Implementation and unit testing
• Integration and system testing
• Regression testing strategies
• Software configuration management
• Quality assurance practices
• Strong collaborative mindset with ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrix organizational structures
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and professional development
• Willingness to acquire and apply departmental standards, methods, and techniques, including software process standards (e.g., CMMI, ISO/IEC 15504), process assessment methodologies, measurement frameworks (GQM, PSM), and process improvement approaches (Six Sigma, Lean)
• Willing to travel occasionally to work location or customer site/ domestically/internationally approx. 10%

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.

How You Can Stand Out

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

• Master's degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathemati