Engineering Manager – Machine Learning Engineering

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 Engineering Manager of Machine Learning Engineering (MLE) leads a team of engineers and technical staff in developing and deploying cutting-edge data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML) solutions. This role bridges the gap between innovation and implementation, transforming proof-of-concept models into production-ready applications that deliver real business value. This position is a critical leadership role that coordinates technical assignments, deliverable execution, customer relationships, career development, technical consultation, and overall direction. The Engineering Manager provides leadership to the MLE section and contributes to technical projects that solve customer problems.

Work Model

This is a full-time position based in Chantilly, VA

What You’ll Be Doing

• Provides task planning, schedule, and labor estimates for proposed technical work assignments. Advises supervision of resources needs and capabilities. Provides inputs for budgetary planning. 

• Participates in day-to-day technical activities and task accomplishments. Monitors and evaluates processes, techniques, and performance. Reviews documentation and delivery of services.  

• Works closely with customers to coordinate tasking, report progress, resolve technical issues, and assure project success. Initiates and coordinates exchanges of technical information with other work groups and organizations. Prepares written and oral reports of organization’s activities, issues, and accomplishments to higher management, subordinates, and teaming organizations.  

• Recommends staffing needs, reassignments, transfers, and terminations. Recommends and assists evaluation of potential staff additions. Conducts performance reviews, recommends performance improvements, career development, and promotional actions. 

• Implements policies, practices, and operating processes and recommends changes and improvements to supervision. Responsible for compliance with security monitoring, processes, and recommendations.  

• Participates in inter-organizational team assignments and educational activities. 

• Identifies opportunities for additional, expanded, and new business. Aids in the evaluation and pursuit of new business opportunities. 

• Supervises and provides technical direction to engineering and engineering support staff involved in design and development efforts on shorter-range or discrete product outputs.
• Assigns specific task responsibilities to engineering and support personnel to achieve work schedule requirements. Specifies, monitors, and evaluates techniques and operating procedures.

What You Need to be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Bachelors  degree in STEM with emphasis in Data Science, Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or related field(s) 

• 6 or more years of increasingly responsible professional engineering/scientific experience as a data scientist, machine learning engineer, or AI/ML researcher in any domain
• Demonstrated ability to lead, advise, and provide direction to subordinate team. 
• Experience with and understanding of machine learning and artificial intelligence, software engineering, and statistics 

• Proven ability to take initiative and successfully complete tasks, lead complex technical projects, and collaborate effectively. 

• This position requires ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance, which is issued by the US government. U.S citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of customers and corporate staff.  
• Proven ability to organize and lead technical tasks. 
• Demonstrated initiative and strong leadership skills, with proven ability to build and manage effective teams. 
• Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and apply new technical skills. 
• Demonstrated ability in oral and written communication skills. 
• Some travel may be required.

How You Can Stand Out 

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

• An advanced degree, from a recognized institution, in an appropriate technical discipline.  
• Strong background in software development, algorithms, Data Science, Machine Learning, and Computer Vision. 
• Broad exposure to the Machine Learning needs of Aerospace program offices and commercial customer base.  
• Strong background with tools and techniques for ingesting, distilling, organizing, extracting and interpreting meaning from large and complex data sets. 
• Experience in leading large sets of diverse teams to accomplish difficult applied AI goals in the DoD enterprise 

• Demonstrated contributions to open-source software repositories (github, kaggle, etc.) 

• Active security 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 — 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—the belief that we can make a difference. This core belief empowers us to do our best work at The Aerospace Corporation.

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, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, color, religion, genetic information, marital status, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, physical disability, medical condition, mental disability, or disability status and any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. If you’re an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran who needs assistance using our online job search and application tools or need reasonable accommodation to complete the job application process, please contact us by phone at 310.336.5432 or by email at peoplemangmnt.mailbox@aero.org . You can also review Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.