Chief Engineer, Space Systems

sesengin • Reston, VA

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Chief Engineer, Space Systems, you will serve as the technical authority responsible for the architecture, integration, and successful delivery of spacecraft and hosted payload solutions across SES Space & Defense programs. You will lead the technical execution of complex, mission-critical space systems by orchestrating a matrixed engineering organization spanning spacecraft, payloads, systems engineering, mission assurance, and external partners. Working closely with Program Management, customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders, you will ensure technical solutions meet mission objectives while balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk. This role plays a central part in expanding SES Space & Defense's space capabilities, helping shape next-generation hosted payload, sensing, communications, and mission-enabled space architectures supporting national security customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred
• Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience designing, developing, integrating, or delivering spacecraft, payloads, satellite systems, or other complex aerospace systems
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role
• Strong background in spacecraft architecture, payload systems, hosted payloads, satellite subsystems, or mission systems engineering
• Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems including communications payloads, RF systems, onboard processors, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, structures, and attitude determination and control systems
• Extensive knowledge of systems engineering processes including requirements development, architecture definition, interface management, verification and validation, and technical risk management
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations within a matrixed environment while influencing without direct authority
• Experience supporting the complete system lifecycle including concept development, design, integration, environmental test, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit operations
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with government customers, executive leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and mission partners
• Experience supporting national security, defense, civil government, or commercial space programs
• Active Top Secret security clearance preferred, or the ability to obtain and maintain one; TS/SCI eligibility preferred

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft and hosted payload solutions from concept development through on-orbit mission execution
• Lead the technical execution of space system programs, ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, and mission performance objectives
• Direct a matrixed engineering organization spanning systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners
• Define overall spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines
• Lead development of systems engineering artifacts including requirements, CONOPS, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), trade studies, verification plans, and technical baselines
• Ensure successful integration across spacecraft buses, communications payloads, onboard processing, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, attitude determination and control, and other spacecraft subsystems
• Lead technical planning and execution through major program milestones including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and early on-orbit operations
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle
• Partner directly with government customers, mission partners, and suppliers to translate mission requirements into executable technical solutions
• Establish engineering operating rhythm, technical governance, design reviews, reporting, and decision-making processes across integrated engineering teams
• Collaborate with ground engineering and mission operations organizations to ensure successful integration between spacecraft and supporting operational infrastructure while maintaining primary ownership of the space segment
• Support strategic growth initiatives by shaping technical solutions for future hosted payload, communications, sensing, and emerging space mission opportunities
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders while fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior