Lead Space System Engineer
About The Position
The Sensors Division develops advanced solutions in radar, space-based sensing, electronic warfare, and underwater acoustics. Within the Space Missions and Sensing (SMS) Sector, the team advances space sensing, space control, and counter-sensing technologies for critical national security missions. The Lead Space System Engineer will apply systems engineering expertise in a research and development environment, contributing to the development of a space-based sensing system platform. The role includes architecting the system and defining constellation requirements for command and control, intersatellite communications, ground processing, spectrum allocation, and satellite sensor modes. The engineer will guide decisions about how functionality is divided between space and ground segments, balancing mission performance with constraints such as size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) and security. The engineer will work with program leadership and external partners to establish and execute program objectives, requirements, and development plans. The role also includes assessing current and future system capabilities and providing technical development insights for business development initiatives. The position offers opportunities for career growth in a fast-paced, expanding company.
Requirements
- Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
- Bachelor's degree with 7 or more years of experience, or master's degree with 5 or more years of experience, in Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
- Proven track record in a systems engineering role.
- Deep technical expertise in at least one area: space-based RF/RADAR processing, including signal processing, spectrum allocation, or electronic warfare; or space-based optical sensing and processing, including focal plane arrays, optical trains, or image processing.
- Proven experience with satellite flight software architectures, including real-time software development and hardware-software interface definition.
- Multidisciplinary knowledge of mission modeling, systems design, hardware and firmware integration, and testing.
- Ability to direct development team activities and manage technical deliverables.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable plans.
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience working on SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) or SAP (Special Access Programs).
- Experience designing, integrating, and testing optical communications hardware.
- Experience providing technical contributions to business development and proposal efforts.
- Experience with field test planning and execution.
Responsibilities
- Lead systems engineering and requirements development and management for a team building a space-based sensing platform.
- Architect the system and drive detailed analysis to derive command and control, data transport, and processing requirements.
- Collaborate with other team leads and subcontractors on the technology roadmap for testing and integrating complex subsystems.
- Define mission partitioning between the system under development and other government systems, and author the Interface Control Documents (ICDs) governing those interactions.
- Guide, coach, and mentor junior staff to elevate the team's technical capability.
- Collaborate with program leadership and external partners to establish and execute program objectives, requirements, and development plans.
- Assess current and future system capabilities and provide technical development insights for business development initiatives.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
