Data Architect

About the Role The Aerospace Corporation’s Digital Innovation Division is seeking an experienced Data Architect to design, govern, and modernize enterprise data capabilities across a complex technical environment. The role will develop scalable data architectures, improve interoperability, enable trusted analytics, and support the organization’s digital transformation goals. Responsibilities Develop and maintain enterprise data architecture frameworks, reference architectures, design patterns, and standards. Define target-state data architectures that support analytics, AI/ML, digital engineering, mission applications, and enterprise reporting. Assess current-state data environments, identify gaps, and develop practical roadmaps for modernization. Design architectures for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data across cloud, on-premises, hybrid, and classified networks. Design conceptual, logical, and physical data models for enterprise and mission systems. Support integration across legacy systems, data platforms, software factories, analytics environments, and business applications. Ensure architecture decisions align with governance, security, compliance, privacy, and mission requirements. Advise on data platform capabilities, including data lakes, warehouses, lakehouses, catalogs, pipelines, streaming platforms, knowledge graphs, and API layers. Architect data foundations that enable reliable AI/ML development, model training, retrieval-augmented generation, advanced analytics, and operational decision support. Translate technical architecture concepts into clear guidance for executives, program leaders, engineers, analysts, and data owners. Facilitate architecture reviews, working groups, and design sessions. Produce clear architecture artifacts, including diagrams, roadmaps, standards, decision records, and implementation guidance. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field (or equivalent work experience). 7+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations. Significant experience designing enterprise data architectures in complex organizations. Strong knowledge of data modeling, data integration, metadata management, data quality, and data governance. Experience with modern data platforms such as cloud data warehouses, data lakes, lakehouses, relational databases, NoSQL stores, or distributed processing platforms. Experience designing APIs, data pipelines, data exchange patterns, or integration architectures. Working knowledge of security, access control, compliance, and data protection principles. Demonstrated ability to produce architecture artifacts, technical standards, and implementation roadmaps. Strong problem‑solving skills, strategic mindset, and ability to design and evolve enterprise‑scale data ecosystems. Effective communication skills with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders. Proven ability to foster collaboration and knowledge‑sharing across diverse teams. Demonstrated innovation, creativity, resourcefulness, and initiative. Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship required. How You Can Stand Out Advanced degree in STEM or other technical discipline. 10+ years of increasingly responsible professional experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role. Certifications in cloud (AWS, Azure), DevOps, or security (CISSP, CISA). Direct mission experience in the national space domain, missile defense, and/or remote sensing. Experience with tools such as Databricks, Snowflake, PostgreSQL, Neo4j, Kafka, Airflow, dbt, Collibra, Alation, Informatica, or similar platforms. Experience with AI/ML data preparation, feature stores, vector databases, knowledge graphs, or retrieval‑augmented generation architectures. Experience supporting classified, cross‑domain, or multi‑network environments. Familiarity with DevSecOps, DataOps, GitOps, CI/CD, infrastructure‑as‑code, and automated data quality testing. Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks, architecture review boards, or technical governance bodies. Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI Clearance. Benefits Competitive compensation (salary range $155,900 – $233,900 annually). 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 match (8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service). Flexible spending accounts. Variable pay program for exceptional contributions. Relocation assistance. Professional growth and development programs, including education assistance. Inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect. Equal Opportunity Commitment The Aerospace Corporation is an equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal law. For assistance using our online job search and application tools, please contact our support team. #J-18808-Ljbffr