Chief Engineer, Space and Ground Systems
About The Position
In this role, you will serve as the technical and execution leader responsible for delivering hosted payload and payload-enabled mission solutions across SES Space & Defense programs. You will operate as the integrator across spacecraft, payload, and ground systems, orchestrating a matrixed team of multiple engineers across SES, partners, and vendors. Your focus is ensuring payload systems are architected, integrated, and delivered on cost, on schedule, and to mission performance standards. This role sits at the center of a growing capability for SES, shaping how payloads are defined, integrated, and operationalized across multi-orbit architectures and emerging mission areas such as SSA, inter-satellite links, sensor networks, and others.
Requirements
- 12+ years of experience in aerospace, satellite systems, or related technical environments (systems engineering, payloads, or spacecraft integration)
- Proven experience leading Integrated Product Teams (IPT) or equivalent cross-functional technical organizations
- Strong background in communications payloads (RF systems), ideally across UHF, Ka-, Ku-, or X-band architectures
- Experience integrating space segment components (payload, bus, subsystems) with ground segment operations (TT&C, SOC/NOC, networking, mission operations)
- Demonstrated ownership of technical, cost, and schedule execution across complex programs
- Experience working across the full system lifecycle including design, integration, test, launch, and operations
- Familiarity with systems engineering practices including requirements development, interface management, and verification & validation
- Experience collaborating with external partners, vendors, and government stakeholders in a mission-driven environment
- Strong ability to lead in a matrixed organization, influencing without direct authority across distributed teams
- Active Top Secret clearance (TS/SCI preferred) or ability to obtain and maintain
Responsibilities
- Own end-to-end execution of the Payload Systems IPT, accountable for technical performance, cost, and schedule across hosted payload programs
- Lead integration across spacecraft bus, communications payloads, onboard processors, propulsion, thermal, and other subsystem elements to deliver a fully functional space system
- Orchestrate a matrixed engineering organization (internal and external) spanning systems engineering, payload engineering, spacecraft, vendors, and mission partners
- Define and manage system architecture, interfaces, and integration strategy across space and ground segments
- Ensure alignment between payload design and mission operations, including TT&C, satellite operations (SOC), tasking, and network integration
- Drive development of key systems engineering artifacts including CONOPS, requirements, ICDs, trade studies, and verification plans
- Lead cross-functional coordination through program lifecycle milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations)
- Identify, manage, and mitigate technical, schedule, and integration risks across multi-organizational stakeholders
- Partner directly with customers, government stakeholders, and mission partners to translate mission requirements into executable payload solutions
- Establish operating rhythm, reporting, and performance tracking to ensure clarity, accountability, and execution across the IPT
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
