Chief Space Systems Integrator (Top Secret)

Vantor•El Segundo, CA

7d•$150,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

Vantor is seeking a Chief Space Systems of Systems Integrator to connect operational priorities, technical architecture, and mission execution across the U.S. Space Force enterprise. The role works directly with senior Space Force leaders and executives to shape, integrate, and field resilient space, ground, and user capabilities. It leads a systems engineering and integration team addressing challenges across mission threads, kill chains, and interconnected systems, translating individual capabilities into operational advantage. The position leads the technical effort to architect, engineer, integrate, test, and field the Space Warfighting System of Systems. It translates warfighter needs into architectures, requirements, interfaces, and integration plans; aligns capabilities across end-to-end mission threads and kill chains, including offensive and defensive space operations; identifies gaps, dependencies, and integration risks; and contributes recommendations to enterprise reviews and governance boards. The role brings operators, engineers, program leaders, and stakeholders together to turn decisions into execution. The role requires a bachelor's degree in an engineering field, a Top Secret clearance, and extensive defense systems engineering and development experience. The position is primarily on-site in El Segundo at LAAFB, 4–5 days per week. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, and employment in cleared roles is contingent on verification of clearance status. California base pay is listed as $150,000–$200,000–$220,000 annually; the posting presents these figures as the range and explains that offers depend on experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions.

Requirements

Active Top Secret clearance; employment is contingent on verification of clearance status.
Bachelor's degree in an engineering field.
18 or more years of experience in defense systems engineering and development, including Joint space operations, C5ISR, and battle management systems.
At least 5 years of experience serving in a systems engineering leadership role for large-scale space system-of-systems programs.
Experience using Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
Experience working within the DoD acquisition system.
Knowledge of Department of War acquisition systems, lifecycle planning, program management, and key program milestones.
Ability to connect operational objectives with technical requirements and engineering decisions.
Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and aligning stakeholders across organizational boundaries.
Strong judgment in evaluating technical risk, competing priorities, and mission consequences.
Ability to communicate complex issues clearly and influence decisions at the executive level.
Ability to be highly motivated, display a dynamic work ethic, and contribute to the DoD mission.
Comfort with daily interactions at the executive leadership level.
Ability to drive organizational change with limited authority.
U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

TS/SCI clearance.
Master's degree in a STEM or Space field.
Strategic-level experience synchronizing offensive and defensive space operations.
Experience supporting USSPACECOM, the National Space Defense Center, the Missile Defense Agency, or related mission organizations.
Leadership of systems-of-systems engineering, architecture, integration, testing, or operational capability delivery.
A record of connecting operational planning, acquisition, and engineering to deliver mission outcomes.
Experience practicing MBSE.
Experience in Agile planning and systems development.
Knowledge of Space Force systems and warfighting missions.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Lead technical efforts to architect, engineer, integrate, test, and field the Space Warfighting System of Systems.
Translate warfighter needs into actionable architectures, requirements, interfaces, and integration plans.
Align capabilities across end-to-end mission threads and kill chains, including offensive and defensive space operations.
Identify capability gaps, dependencies, and integration risks early, and guide practical solutions.
Lead technical contributions to enterprise reviews and governance boards, providing clear recommendations to senior decision-makers.
Bring operators, engineers, program leaders, and stakeholders together to move decisions into execution.
Lead a systems engineering and integration team addressing complex challenges across mission threads, kill chains, and interconnected systems.