Chief Engineer, SYD 85/ BNA

Space Systems Command•Colorado Springs, CO

23d•Onsite

About The Position

The United States Space Systems Command (SSC), within the United States Space Force (USSF), is hiring a Chief Engineer to support SYD 85/ BNA. The position may be located at Los Angeles Space Force Base or Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs and is classified as NH-0801-04, equivalent to GS-14/15. The Chief Engineer serves as the branch’s senior technical authority, responsible for architectural cohesion and technical execution of the unified antenna enterprise. The role directs integration of a system of systems that includes cloud-native software, physical ground antennas, and legacy infrastructure, ensuring they work together to deliver uninterrupted satellite command and control capabilities. The position will guide the transition from pathfinder prototypes to enterprise production and provide strategic technical decision support. The successful candidate will direct system integration, maintain architectural alignment and technical standards, oversee the long-term technical roadmap, and resolve high-level technical conflicts and system requirements. The unified baseline must deliver the required Common Operating Picture for military satellite operators. The position requires advanced multidisciplinary engineering knowledge, sound analytical and time-management abilities, and effective oral and written communication. This is a Critical Acquisition Position within the Acquisition Professional Development Program. The position requires a professional engineering bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited institution, or an applicable occupational requirement as specified for the 0801 series. Advanced degrees are preferred. The employee must be a U.S. citizen, obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance, and meet applicable drug-testing and financial-disclosure requirements. Situational telework is available only, including emergency and OPM-prescribed unscheduled telework. Relocation funding may be available. Temporary duty travel is approximately 20 days per year, and overtime may be required on an unscheduled or emergency basis.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Must meet the 0801 series individual occupational requirement and the applicable experience-level requirements.
A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET-accredited institution is required; the posting also describes a related STEM degree or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree as desired candidate qualifications.
Knowledge of advanced multidisciplinary engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques.
Knowledge of Department of Defense missions, organizations, systems acquisition, development and sustainment, as well as planning, programming, budgeting cycles, financial systems, and expenditure restrictions.
Knowledge and skill in evaluating advancements in engineering theory, application, technology, and policy, and in directing system development, production, or support.
Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and Equal Employment Opportunity regulations, practices, and procedures.
Skill in building effective relationships and coalitions, negotiating, resolving conflicts, and communicating clearly and accurately, orally and in writing.
Ability to use computers and software programs and databases, gather and analyze program information, assess program progress, and communicate recommendations.
Must safeguard classified or sensitive information and files.
Must file an OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of assuming the position and by October 31 annually thereafter.
Subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
May be required to travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft for temporary duty assignments.
May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or other advanced degree.
Direct experience with satellite communications ground segments, telemetry, tracking, and commanding systems, or antenna array architectures.
Significant experience with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Word.

Responsibilities

Direct the system-of-systems integration strategy, ensuring interoperability among the software ecosystem, physical antennas, and legacy infrastructure.
Maintain architectural alignment across program initiatives and establish technical standards for the continuous software development pipeline and transition from prototype to enterprise production.
Oversee the long-term technical roadmap and guide the platform through its employment and development phases toward a platform-agnostic enterprise control model.
Resolve high-level technical conflicts, manage overarching system requirements, and ensure the unified baseline provides the required Common Operating Picture for military satellite operators.
Apply engineering expertise to plan and execute specialized, complex programs and evaluate state-of-the-art developments affecting systems.
Plan, organize, and direct functions and staff in critical aspects of system development, production, or support.
Build consensus, negotiate, resolve conflicts, and communicate technical recommendations effectively to organizational management and contractors.