SpaceRCO Ground Systems Engineer – Senior

Modern Technology Solutions Inc•Colorado Springs, CO

74d•$170,000 - $220,000•Onsite

About The Position

MTSI is seeking a senior Ground Systems Engineer to provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO), supporting the development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. The role calls for expertise in developing, designing, building, and integrating space system software for space vehicles and ground systems to meet mission requirements. It is an outward-facing position where customer service is paramount, requiring a leader and problem solver able to deliver results as part of a high-performing team in a fast-paced, high-profile environment. The engineer will work in a small, empowered team on ground antenna networks, satellite scheduling applications, antenna-network capability testing, satellite launch and on-orbit operations, and RF spectrum. The role provides in-depth expertise in software and architecture development, integration, and testing for antenna scheduling and ground antenna network systems and subsystems. It also supports process improvements and evaluates workflows for planning, scheduling, control, status, and telemetry and command data flows. The engineer reviews requirements, ground threads, user stories, Jira projects, test strategies and plans, and mission-partner onboarding for antenna scheduling systems. The SETA supports antenna scheduling teams, reports progress and recommendations to the Government, and works with System Engineering and Mission Adoption branches on mission onboarding, configuration management, engineering reviews, testing, and risk management. The role applies advanced engineering principles to highly classified systems and communicates complex results to management and executive leadership. The position is full-time and on site near Colorado Springs, Colorado, with travel within the continental United States up to 30% of the time. The listed Colorado pay range is $170,000 to $220,000 per year; actual base pay may vary based on contract rates, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and other factors. MTSI offers medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered.

Requirements

At least 10 years of DoD/IC or relevant industry work experience.
Experience developing and fielding software for space systems, including software architectures and requirements development for satellites and ground systems.
Understanding of the space operational environment and corresponding mission-user needs.
Knowledge of space-system engineering, development, and manufacturing.
Experience in DoD program management, including program development and transition.
Experience with Integrated Master Schedules and risk management.
Experience with Statements of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statements (PWS).
Skills in satellite ground-system operations, project management, requirements analysis, test planning, and stakeholder onboarding.
Experience driving process improvements in implementation, automation, and integration of ground antenna network operations.
Ability to assess mission-partner antenna-network requirements and usage to ensure satellite operations systems align with capability needs.
Active TOP SECRET clearance with SCI and SAP eligibility; at least two years total in a SAP and/or SCI environment, including one year within the last five years.
Willingness to submit to a Counter-Intelligence polygraph and maintain TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment.
Full-time, on-site work near Colorado Springs, Colorado, and travel up to 30% within the continental United States.

Nice To Haves

Five years of relevant DoD and/or industry work experience with SAP and/or SCI.
Experience providing System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to a Government program office.
Experience with rapid prototyping.
Experience with integrated air, space, and cyberspace capabilities.
Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining ground mission planning architecture and software.
Experience with ACAT I/II-level acquisition programs.
Experience planning and executing test campaigns for space systems.
Fluency with IC organizations.
Experience supporting mission onboarding and cross-functional collaboration.
An applicable engineering degree from an ABET-accredited program or a Professional Engineering license.
A relevant MA/MS/ME degree.

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance to the development team and program manager and ensure technical and programmatic requirements for mission ground-system deliveries are met.
Track and oversee deficiency reporting and analysis, and analyze plans for deficiency and risk resolution.
Serve as the primary contact for ground antenna scheduling system design documentation, including software development requirements, system requirements, and critical-methods high-level design; recommend changes or modifications.
Evaluate trending data to validate nominal system performance or identify system degradation.
Review and approve ground antenna scheduling system baseline changes.
Provide project management and technical leadership for engineering activities.
Work independently on high-visibility or mission-critical program aspects and oversee less-senior staff or the work of staff assigned to a specific job.
Translate complex ideas and data into simple, actionable recommendations or clearly differentiated courses of action.
Communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately in technical oral and written communications.
Support development, integration, testing, and process improvement for antenna scheduling and ground antenna network systems.
Review requirements, ground threads, user stories, Jira projects, test strategies, test plans, and mission-partner onboarding for antenna scheduling systems.
Support and manage antenna scheduling teams, report progress to the Government, and provide recommendations.
Work with System Engineering and Mission Adoption branches on mission onboarding, configuration management, engineering reviews, testing, and risk management.
Assess mission-partner antenna network requirements and usage to ensure satellite operations systems align with capability needs.