Systems Engineer, SME

Galapagos Federal Systems LLC.•Colorado Springs, CO

2d•$280,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Galapagos Federal Systems LLC is seeking a highly qualified Systems Engineer – Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the development, acquisition, integration, testing, and fielding of advanced space systems. The role provides senior-level technical expertise and strategic guidance throughout the systems engineering lifecycle, helping ensure mission-critical hardware and software systems meet operational requirements, performance objectives, security and reliability needs, and mission goals. The Systems Engineer, SME works with multidisciplinary engineering, acquisition, operations, and program management teams and provides technical assessments, risk analysis, and actionable recommendations to government stakeholders and senior leadership. The position supports national security space capabilities, operational readiness, and long-term system sustainability. An active TS/SCI clearance is required, and applicants must be U.S. citizens. The role may require a high-level Department of War security clearance.

Requirements

Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.
At least 15 years of relevant professional experience in DoD systems engineering, acquisition, and/or operations, including experience supporting space systems or related national security missions.
Extensive knowledge of systems engineering principles, processes, and lifecycle management for complex space systems.
Experience supporting system requirements development, technical specifications, systems integration, testing, and performance evaluation.
Experience evaluating technical, cost, schedule, and performance risks in complex engineering or acquisition programs.
Ability to analyze complex technical and operational challenges and develop practical, mission-focused recommendations.
Experience developing technical documentation, engineering assessments, analytical reports, and decision-support materials.
Ability to collaborate with government stakeholders, multidisciplinary engineering teams, and acquisition professionals.
Experience presenting technical findings, program assessments, and recommendations to senior management or government leadership.
Knowledge of space system capabilities, operational requirements, and engineering considerations for national security space programs.
Completion of senior-level Professional Military Education (PME), such as Air War College (AWC), Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), or equivalent.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, or a related technical discipline.
Must be a U.S. citizen.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience supporting Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), United States Space Force (USSF), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), or Joint Staff organizations.
Familiarity with DoD and USSF space systems acquisition strategies, policies, and program execution processes.
Understanding of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process and its relationship to defense acquisition and program resource management.
Experience evaluating emerging technologies, technology readiness levels, and potential applications to national security space capabilities.
Experience providing technical advisory support to senior government officials, program executives, or acquisition leadership.
Master's degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

Responsibilities

Provide senior-level systems engineering expertise and technical oversight for the development, acquisition, integration, testing, and fielding of complex space systems.
Lead and coordinate system development activities, including requirements definition, system specifications, engineering processes, technical parameters, and implementation strategies.
Support systems integration, verification, validation, and formal testing to ensure hardware and software components meet performance, interoperability, security, and mission requirements.
Develop, evaluate, and maintain system specifications, technical requirements, logistical considerations, and engineering documentation throughout the system lifecycle.
Apply space domain expertise to systems engineering and integration activities across large-scale, technically complex programs.
Conduct technical assessments, engineering analyses, and program evaluations to identify performance gaps, technical risks, operational challenges, and opportunities for system improvement.
Prepare and deliver technical briefings, analytical reports, recommendations, and decision-support materials to government stakeholders, program management, and senior leadership.
Evaluate existing and emerging space system capabilities, technologies, and acquisition initiatives.
Support program planning, acquisition activities, and project execution by identifying and assessing cost, schedule, performance, technical, and operational risks.
Evaluate emerging technologies and technology readiness levels (TRLs) for suitability for integration into current or future space system programs.
Collaborate with engineering, acquisition, operations, and program management teams to align technical solutions with mission objectives and program requirements.
Provide technical recommendations to support risk reduction, system performance optimization, lifecycle cost considerations, and government decision-making.
Develop and maintain technical and programmatic documentation for planning, execution, reporting, and program oversight.
Respond to time-sensitive technical inquiries, leadership requests, and program tasking while meeting deadlines and quality standards.