Launch Systems Integration Engineer & Technical Advisor (SETA)

Space Systems Integration•Chantilly, VA

About The Position

SSI is seeking a Launch Systems Integration Engineer & Technical Advisor (SETA) to support mission-critical national security space programs within the Department of the Air Force and government partner organizations in Chantilly, Virginia. The position serves as a primary technical advisor and liaison among government program offices, payload developers, launch service providers, and operational stakeholders. The role leads technical evaluations, mission baselining, and integration activities across the mission lifecycle, from early concept development, trade studies, and requirements management through launch-site ground processing, day-of-launch operations, and post-flight mission analysis. It supports end-to-end mission integration, baseline definition, trade studies, and technical risk assessments, while helping ensure alignment with range safety, regulatory, and operational requirements. The engineer manages technical baselines, engineering change proposals, deviations, and non-conformances related to vehicle interfaces and launch-site ground processing. The role also provides on-site and console engineering support at launch facilities, contributes to readiness reviews and launch operations, assesses post-flight telemetry and performance, and monitors aerospace industry and launch-vehicle developments to inform future mission planning.

Requirements

Active Top Secret / SCI clearance; must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a polygraph and special accesses.
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a closely related STEM discipline.
At least 5 years of technical experience in aerospace systems engineering, space mission integration, or spacecraft operations.
Demonstrated experience supporting mission integration processes, technical requirements evaluation, interface verification, and compliance with operational and range safety standards.
Ability to collaborate across multi-agency, multidisciplinary government and contractor teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills to support technical decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Direct experience supporting Department of the Air Force (DAF), United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), or National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) programs.
Prior experience in a SETA, FFRDC, or government acquisition program office advising space or launch programs.
Active console experience during countdown operations, rehearsals, or launch-site ground operations.
Experience with multi-payload or rideshare mission integration.
Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) frameworks and SysML-based tools.
Experience utilizing engineering simulation tools or AI-enabled workflows to assist with technical evaluations.

Responsibilities

Coordinate across government agencies, payload developers, launch service providers, and range authorities as a primary technical advisor.
Support end-to-end mission integration, baseline definition, trade studies, and technical risk assessments.
Evaluate engineering products, monitor interface compatibility, support milestone and technical readiness reviews, and guide activities for alignment with range safety, regulatory, and operational requirements.
Manage technical baselines, engineering change proposals (ECPs), deviations, and non-conformances related to vehicle interfaces and launch-site ground processing.
Provide on-site and console engineering support at launch-base facilities during spacecraft processing, encapsulation, transport, and mate operations.
Contribute to and support Launch Readiness Reviews (LRRs), Mission Readiness Reviews (MRRs), countdown dress rehearsals, and day-of-launch operations.
Assess post-flight telemetry data and flight-performance metrics and deliver mission-success reports to leadership.
Monitor aerospace industry advancements, emerging launch-vehicle technologies, and new-entrant capabilities to inform future mission planning.