Digital Innovation Division DataOps Lead

The Aerospace Corporation•El Segundo, CA

6d•$165,300 - $247,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Digital Innovation Division (DID) is accountable for developing and executing integrated strategies, providing governance, and managing internal investments that support The Aerospace Corporation’s digital transformation. The division is seeking a Data Engineering, Data Architecture, and DataOps Lead to design, implement, and manage enterprise-scale data platforms and pipelines. The role leads the full data engineering and integration lifecycle, from ingestion and storage through modeling, governance, and advanced analytics enablement, and establishes a DataOps-focused ecosystem for reliably building, testing, and deploying data solutions that support mission-critical applications. The DataOps Lead defines data architecture and data management standards and processes, promotes interoperability across platforms, and ensures data quality, security, and compliance at scale. The role works with enterprise engineering teams to host, improve, deliver, and integrate datasets, helping ensure digital initiatives are supported by trusted, high-quality data that can be transformed into actionable insights. The position is 100% onsite in Chantilly, Colorado Springs, or El Segundo. The role leads a team of 10 data engineers, data architects, and platform specialists; oversees development and operations of a corporate data management platform across multiple networks, including classified and hybrid environments; and coordinates data management efforts across functions. It also supports Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Civil Federal Government customer DataOps strategies and collaborates with other FFRDCs as needed. The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required to obtain one.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
10 or more years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts, influence cross-functional teams, or mentor junior engineers.
Proficiency with data engineering and orchestration tools such as Apache Airflow, dbt, NiFi, Talend, Kafka, Spark, or Kubernetes.
Hands-on experience with cloud-based data platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP; Azure data management tools, including Azure Data Factory, Synapse, and Purview, are especially important.
Familiarity with data governance frameworks, compliance standards, and security requirements integrated into data pipelines, such as NIST SP 800-171, FedRAMP, and CMMC.
Demonstrated success with metadata management, master data management, and data quality frameworks for trusted enterprise data assets.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to strategically design and evolve enterprise-scale data ecosystems.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to bridge technical and mission-focused stakeholders across multiple constituencies.
Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated record of fostering 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 is required to obtain a clearance.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in STEM or another technical discipline.
12 or more years of increasingly responsible professional experience in data engineering, data architecture, or data operations, including at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
Certifications in cloud (AWS or Azure), DevOps, or security (CISSP or CISA).
Direct mission experience in the national space domain, missile defense, or remote sensing.
Recognition across the national space industry, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, or FFRDCs.
Ability to explain the value of data engineering work in mission-relevant terms and stories.
Current DoD TS and SSBI/SCI clearance.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a corporate data management platform across multiple networks, including classified and hybrid environments.
Identify platform requirements and priorities; shepherd acquisition of commercial off-the-shelf products and professional services; locate technical support; address issues; facilitate communications; collaborate with management on budgets; and represent corporate data management across the organization.
Integrate enterprise data standards, security, pipelines, data quality, and best practices for automated data ingestion, transformation, validation, and delivery with end-user workflows, applications, and data.
Develop and track key performance indicators and metrics.
Serve as the principal technical lead coordinating data management activities with cross-functional teams to design and implement scalable, secure, and interoperable data architectures aligned with organizational goals, with a focus on AI and modeling and simulation integration.
Lead and mentor a team of 10 data engineers, data architects, and platform specialists, supporting their career development.
Use Agile methodologies to manage priorities, sprint planning, and cross-team collaboration.
Promote DataOps best practices and work with data stewards through demonstrations, workshops, and training.
Support Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and Civil Federal Government customer DataOps strategy, design, and implementation using Aerospace’s implementation experience, best practices, and lessons learned; collaborate with other FFRDCs as needed.
Research emerging tools, architectures, industry trends, and standards, and champion opportunities to advance data engineering at Aerospace.
Promote continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and innovation in data architecture and operations.

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 a company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service, plus matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested upon hire.
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.