Ground Network Systems Engineer

VTG is seeking an experienced Ground Network Systems Engineer and technical advisor (SETA) with a strong background in Information Technology or Network Engineering for diverse locations. The candidate will play a critical role in the design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of the terrestrial components that support satellite and space-based systems. This role combines technical expertise with systems-level thinking, requiring a broad range of skills to ensure the seamless operation of ground networks.

This candidate will support a government program office in charge of ground element command and control (C2) activities for a major program acquisition within a space system program office. The ground segment consists of ground command and control (C2) software, customized hardware, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE), and network integration.

Responsibilities

• Concept of operations formulation, requirements definition, analysis, and engineering.
• System architecting, system analysis and design, interface and data architectures.
• Validation and verification, systems integration, system and operational performance analysis.
• Lifecycle cost analysis and estimation, decision analysis, and physical configuration analysis (PCA).
• Evaluation of Network Design and Implementation, Maintenance, Optimization, Security, and Troubleshooting/Problem Resolution.
• Understand network systems architecture, security protocols, VPNs, firewalls, and data center environments.
• Support evaluation of proposed network design and existing network architecture, including scalable, high-performance systems.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of virtualization technologies such as VMware or Hypervisors, cloud networking, and automation tools such as Ansible.
• Monitor network performance for optimal operation, identify bottlenecks, and evaluate network analysis to identify areas of improvement and optimization.
• Support evaluation of the latest security protocols, risk assessments, and strategies to mitigate network risks.
• Provide advice on network architecture, network performance, and security risks.
• Provide advice on data center floor layout, power and cooling, data storage, infrastructure management, backup, monitoring, operating systems, directory services, identity management, access management, and automation.
• Provide formal and informal feedback on program status and recommendations for the best way forward.
• Provide systems engineering support for requirements development, design, test plans, and requirements verifications through acceptance testing from developers.
• Review and assess the adequacy of ground systems specifications, RADs, RVPs, ICDs, RVRs, and system-level requirements documentation.
• Review, analyze, and coordinate any changes to ground system specifications.
• Participate in defining, managing, testing, verifying, and validating collection segment internal and external interfaces.
• Coordinate with SED, GED, MOD, and non-NRO SPO ground elements as required.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks, ability to work and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Provide advice on the design and deployment of scalable infrastructure platforms.
• Attend system-level design reviews and program management reviews to assess ground system design maturity, requirements compliance, and provide informed technical recommendations to the customer.
• Review, document, and trace ground systems hardware and software requirements, and coordinate with other engineers, FFRDC, and developer personnel to resolve issues.
• Review ground system requirements allocations for accuracy and ensure requirement allocation documentation is complete and accurate.
• Review acquisition milestone ground systems design documentation for adequacy, accuracy, and completeness, and identify cost, schedule, and technical risks/opportunities, providing mitigation strategies through formal and informal comments.
• Assess adequacy of developer verification data and provide recommendations to the GPO for approval or disapproval with clear commentary demonstrating the logic for the recommendations.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts and functional counterparts.
• Understand risk management processes and methods for adjudicating program risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate across geographically diverse sites for delivery and acceptance testing; requires travel to these sites as well as to developer sites.
• Provide coordination with facilities’ teams during site surveys, installation, and for long-term facilities maintenance of IT equipment and specialized hardware.
• Support request for change (RFC) processes.

Requirements

• Active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years or more experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• Experience in Network protocols, network hardware such as routers, switches, firewalls from major vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and Palo Alto Networks.
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools such as Wireshark and with virtualization technologies like VMware.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication, and documentation skills.
• Organizing meetings, project coordination, and writing and reviewing technical reports.
• High organizational capabilities and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to travel overseas.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Advanced degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math) or related discipline.
• Prior ground system acquisition experience in a major satellite system.
• Understanding of SIGINT Satellite systems.
• Prior experience in acquisition activities related to requirements development and assessment, technical evaluations of proposals, and ECP development.
• CSEP and/or PMP certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of NSIS and JSIS.
• Experience in NRO, IC, or DoD program management processes.

Pay

VTG’s estimated starting pay range is $129,000 - $135,000 annually, which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations, and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.