Space & Ground Systems Architect

TEKsystems; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 103,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

TEKsystems seeks a Space & Ground Systems Architect to shape next-gen space and ground system capabilities supporting critical national security programs. You’ll define baselines, develop architectures using UML/SysML/DoDAF/UAF, and ensure integrity across C2 and SATCOM ecosystems.

With 7+ years in system architecture (5+ in space/ground/SATCOM), you’ll communicate designs to technical teams and stakeholders, collaborating with government partners to deliver modern, secure architectures.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in system architecture or enterprise systems design.
• 5+ years of experience in space systems, ground systems, SATCOM, or C2 software environments.
• Experience with ICDs, service decompositions, and API definitions is a plus.
• Experience with cloud-native architectures, microservices, CI/CD pipelines, and Zero Trust design principles.
• Agile and SAFe experience is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Define technical baselines and architectural frameworks using UML/SysML/DoDAF/UAF.
• Ensure integrity across complex C2 and SATCOM ecosystems.
• Collaborate with engineers, program leaders, and government stakeholders to guide system design.

Skills

Systems architecture

SATCOM / space systems

UML/SysML/DoDAF/UAF

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

TS/SCI clearance

Job description

Description

We're looking for a Space & Ground Systems Architect to help shape the next generation of space and ground system capabilities supporting some of the most critical national security programs in operation today. You'll be working at the intersection of SATCOM, command and control, and enterprise digital engineering - designing modern, secure, and scalable architectures that keep pace with an increasingly complex and contested space environment.

This is a role for someone who thinks in systems. You'll define technical baselines, develop architectural frameworks using UML, SysML, DoDAF, or UAF, and ensure integrity across complex C2 and SATCOM ecosystems. You'll collaborate directly with engineers, program leaders, and government stakeholders - your decisions will influence how these systems are built, integrated, and sustained for years to come.

What You Bring

You have 7+ years in system architecture or enterprise systems design, with at least 5 of those years in space systems, ground systems, SATCOM, or C2 software environments. You know how to translate complex operational requirements into clean, defensible architectural designs - and you can communicate those designs clearly to both technical teams and stakeholders. Experience with ICDs, service decompositions, and API definitions is a plus, as is familiarity with cloud-native architectures, microservices, CI/CD pipelines, and Zero Trust-aligned design principles. Agile and SAFe experience rounds out the profile nicely.

Why This Role

Enterprise Space Systems - the ground portfolio you'll be supporting - sits at the core of how the U.S. military commands, controls, and communicates through space. The ground segment is the backbone of every space mission, and the architectural decisions made here have direct operational consequences. You won't be maintaining legacy systems. You'll be building what comes next - modern, secure, and built to perform in environments where failure isn't an option.

TS/SCI clearance required. Bachelor's degree in a STEM field required.

Top Skills

• 7+ years of experience in software architecture, enterprise software design, or digital engineering
• 5+ years of experience with SATCOM, space systems, ground systems, or C2 software environments
• Experience developing system or software architectures using UML, SysML, DoDAF, UPDM, or UAF

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), service decompositions, and API definitions
• Experience designing cloud-native architectures, microservices, containers, and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience aligning architecture with cybersecurity frameworks and working in Agile environments or SAFe
• Knowledge of secure coding and Zero Trust-aligned design principles
• TS/SCI clearance
• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics field

Experience Level

Expert Level

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of El Segundo, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $125.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in El Segundo,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.