LEO Data Processing Architect

Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
Location: Ashburn
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

LEO Data Processing Architect The Opportunity: Everyone is trying to “harness the cloud,” but not everyone knows how. As a cloud computing application architect, you know how to create a cloud-based technical architecture that meets client needs and takes advantage of cloud capabilities. This is an opportunity to use the latest cloud technologies as you look for ways to improve your client’s environment using current cloud capabilities. You’ll recommend tools and solutions based on your research of the current environment and knowledge of various on-premise, cloud-based, and hybrid resources. You’ll use your experience to guide your team as they help the client overcome their most difficult challenges in the cloud. We are seeking a Data Processing Architect to design and implement mission data processing pipelines for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, focusing on AWS-native architectures for real-time ingest, transformation, storage, and exploitation. This is a hands-on role—you will own technical decisions, produce reference architectures, and guide engineering teams. What You'll Work On: Architect AWS-centric data pipelines, from ground-station ingest, such as AWS Ground Station, through streaming ETL, tiered storage, cataloging, and secure dissemination. Design cloud-native reference architecture. Emphasize AWS services such as EKS, Kinesis, Lambda, S3, Glue, EMR, and Step Functions, and incorporate Kubernetes, serverless, and IaC, such as Terraform or CloudFormation. Integrate ground segment workflows. Handle CCSDS telemetry frames, mission ops interfaces, and downlink ingest with resilience and low latency. Model geospatial data. Use STAC, COG, GeoTIFF/NITFS, and OGC APIs for imagery and time-series datasets. Conduct performance and reliability engineering. Optimize throughput, autoscaling, caching, and cost controls, and implement observability with CloudWatch, OpenTelemetry, and Prometheus/Grafana. Perform security and compliance. Apply zero-trust principles, encryption, IAM policies, and compliance frameworks, such as FedRAMP or ITAR/EAR. Prototype and benchmark. Lead AWS-focused trade studies and proofs-of-concept and produce decision briefs and architecture runbooks. Enable DevSecOps. Standardize CI/CD pipelines, container hardening, and policy-as-code using AWS-native tools and GitHub and GitLab. Support documentation and lifecycle. Author ADRs, ICDs, and deployment playbooks and support ATO and readiness reviews. Join us. The world can’t wait. You Have: 8 years of experience in cloud architecture and AWS services, including EKS, Kinesis, Lambda, S3, Glue, EMR, or IAM, and networking 5 years of experience building high-throughput, real-time streaming, and data lake solutions Experience with multi-region cloud networking and high-volume data processing Experience with data storage architectures, including data discovery and data service APIs Experience in Kubernetes, containers, IaC, including Terraform or CloudFormation, and CI/CD Experience with geospatial data processing, including STAC, COG, or OGC APIs Knowledge of LEO mission data concepts, including downlink ingest, CCSDS telemetry, and ground segment workflows Knowledge of security architecture, including encryption, KMS, zero-trust, or compliance frameworks Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or Suitability/Fitness determination based on client requirements HS diploma or GED Nice If You Have: Experience integrating AWS Ground Station with mission ops toolchains Experience with GPU or HPC acceleration for image processing Knowledge of US public sector compliance, such as FedRAMP High, or CJIS Knowledge of RF or SDR pipelines and forward error correction Ability to produce architecture artifacts Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills AWS Solutions Architect – Professional Certification Vetting: Applicants selected will be subject to a government investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements of the U.S. government client. Compensation At Booz Allen, we celebrate your contributions, provide you with opportunities and choices, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our values. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in Booz Allen’s benefit programs. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings, not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site and reviewing Our Employee Benefits page. Salary at Booz Allen is determined by various factors, including but not limited to location, the individual’s particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $112,800.00 to $257,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees. This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date. Identity Statement As part of the hiring process, we will ask you to complete an identity verification process that leverages advanced biometrics and artificial intelligence to ensure authenticity and protect against identity fraud. You are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud. Candidate AI Usage Policy AI is a part of our daily work at Booz Allen, and we are committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI tools. However, we want to ensure a fair candidate process based on your own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is prohibited unless permission is explicitly provided . Work Model Our people-first culture prioritizes the benefits of collaboration, whether it occurs in person or virtually. To support engagement and effective communication, employees working virtually are generally expected to have their cameras on during meetings. Remote : If this position is listed as remote, there may still be occasions when you are required to work in person at a Booz Allen or customer facility. Hybrid : If this position is listed as hybrid, you will be expected to work from a Booz Allen facility frequently, in alignment with leadership expectations and the needs of the role. You may also be required to work from or visit a customer facility. Onsite : If this position is listed as onsite, work will primarily be performed at a Booz Allen office or customer facility, where employees will collaborate directly with colleagues and customers as required by the role. Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.

Keywords: Booz Allen Hamilton, Sterling , LEO Data Processing Architect, IT / Software / Systems , Ashburn, Virginia