The Aerospace Corporation

Section Manager, Software Modernization & Cloud Architecture

The Aerospace Corporation • $147K — $221K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related technical field.
  • 6+ years of experience in software engineering, cloud development, or software architecture.
  • Proven track record in leading teams and ensuring successful project execution.
  • Hands-on experience modernizing software applications using cloud-native frameworks.
  • Knowledge of National Security Space systems, DoD programs, or advanced space technologies.
  • Strong communication skills, capable of articulating strategies to stakeholders.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

  • Define section and Department objectives in collaboration with the Director.
  • Lead and mentor a diverse team of software engineers focusing on cloud-native and AI/ML technologies.
  • Engage in talent development, succession planning, and performance reviews.
  • Guide the modernization of software tools and legacy system migration to cloud-native architectures.
  • Evaluate and adopt modern CI/CD and automated testing practices.
  • Oversee the design of secure commercial cloud solutions aligned with mission objectives.
  • Coordinate cross-functional efforts and support organizational modernization initiatives.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
  • Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
  • Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
  • Generous 401(k) Plan contributions.
  • Flexible spending accounts.
  • Variable pay for exceptional contributions.
  • Relocation assistance.
  • Professional growth and development programs.
  • Education assistance programs.
  • Inclusive work environment fostering teamwork and respect.
Full Job Description

The Information Systems and Cyber Division (ISCD) delivers modern, secure, high-performance software-intensive systems integrating advances in cloud-native architectures, AI/ML technologies, DevSecOps automation, virtualization, and scalable data frameworks. Our division empowers customers across the Intelligence Community, DoD, and Civil sectors with solutions that modernize legacy systems, enhance resiliency, and accelerate mission impact.

The Software Tools and Assurance Department is looking for a leader to take on the role of a Section Manager for the department. In this leadership role, you will guide a high-performing team of software engineers through modernization initiatives—from cloud migration and microservices adoption to automated pipeline deployment and applied AI/ML integration.

 

You will collaborate closely with internal partners and external customers, leveraging cutting-edge technologies and diverse Aerospace expertise to solve critical challenges across space, ground, and launch domains. This role includes technical leadership, people development, section strategy execution, and direct responsibility for aligning staff capabilities with evolving mission and enterprise needs.

 

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Strategic & People Leadership
    • Partner with the Director to define section and Department objectives, ensuring clear alignment with SMSS and ISCD strategic modernization priorities.
    • Lead, manage, and mentor a diverse team of software engineers, fostering growth in cloud-native development, AI/ML integration, secure architecture, DevSecOps, and enterprise automation.
    • Engage in workforce planning, talent development, succession management, and performance reviews to build and sustain a modern, highly capable engineering team.
    • Promote collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning—championing adoption of emerging technologies and modern engineering practices.
  • Technical & Modernization Leadership
    • Guide teams developing and modernizing software tools, prototypes, and enterprise applications, including migrating legacy systems to cloud-native architectures, containerization strategies, and microservices based designs.
    • Drive evaluation and adoption of Open Source and COTS toolchains supporting modern CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, automated testing, and continuous security assurance.
    • Support integration and application of AI/ML technologies for automation, analytics, decision support, and enhancement of software development workflows.
    • Provide oversight and direction in designing secure, scalable commercial cloud solutions (AWS, Azure, hybrid) aligned with customer mission objectives.
  • Customer Alignment & Matrix Collaboration
    • Coordinate cross-functional engineering efforts and matrix support across the Software Mission Solutions Subdivision, ensuring availability of critical domain expertise.
    • Participate in SMSS management discussions to shape organizational structure, technical priorities, and enterprise-level modernization initiatives.
  • Operational Excellence
    • Plan and allocate section resources, balancing project demands, staff development, customer support, and long-term modernization goals.
    • Oversee schedules, workload distribution, and project execution—ensuring high-quality technical results and timely delivery aligned with customer expectations.
    • Promote adoption of Agile and DevSecOps processes, enhancing transparency, velocity, and resilience across project teams.

 

What You Need to be Successful

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in a STEM or related technical field.
  • Six or more years of industry experience in software engineering, cloud development, or software architecture.
  • Demonstrated experience leading teams or cross-functional groups, ensuring successful project execution and organizational alignment.
  • Hands-on proficiency in coding, testing, deploying, and modernizing software applications using contemporary cloud-native frameworks and practices.
  • Experience supporting or interfacing with National Security Space systems, DoD programs, civil agencies, or advanced space technologies.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to articulate modernization strategies to customers and leadership.
  • 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:

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in a STEM or related technical field.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a proven track record of translating complex technical concepts into clear business and mission value for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Understanding of Aerospace Corporation processes, engineering matrix operations, and customer business environments.
  • Experience integrating open-source and commercial security, repository, or observability tools into automated enterprise software supply chains.
  • Strong track record of building, mentoring, and leading technical teams or working groups from the ground up.
  • Active TS/SCI clearance.

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)

$147,600.00 - $221,400.00

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 6 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 various backgrounds and all walks of life, yet one thing bonds all of us to each other 6the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

About The Aerospace Corporation

The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) headquartered in El Segundo, California. The corporation provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers. Aerospace also designs and develops spacecraft, sensors, and other systems in support of national security, civil, and commercial customers. The corporation has more than 4,000 employees and operates a number of laboratories and test facilities across the United States.
Learn more about The Aerospace Corporation
Size
4,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1960

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