Lead Engineer, MD8/8STS.

Serve as a lead technical authority for the U.S. Space Force's most critical satellite communications networks. In this role, you will lead the engineering execution, operational architecture, and technical baseline management for multi-billion dollar systems, ensuring secure, global, and uninterrupted communications for the joint warfighter.

Responsibilities

• Principal Technical Authority: Serve as the authoritative engineering baseline expert, directing technical modifications, system upgrades, and architectural changes for global MILSATCOM systems.
• Systems Architecture Governance: Implement and enforce rigorous engineering standards to govern the program's long-term architecture, baseline security, and hardware/software configurations.
• Operational Readiness & OSS&E: Lead system requirements validation and performance management to guarantee continuous Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E).
• Lifecycle & Sustainment Leadership: Direct engineering sustainment, system transition plans, change management processes, and test planning; provide expert technical oversight to Satellite Anomaly Response Teams during critical operations.
• Strategic Advisory Support: Partner closely with the Chief Engineer and Program Managers by delivering deep technical insights, conducting formal engineering assessments, and steering the successful resolution of system deficiencies.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead integration efforts with cross-functional teams, defense agencies, and international partners to ensure seamless data exchange and high-availability communication interfaces.
• Acquisition & Proposal Technical Lead: Support technical evaluations, independent cost estimations, and the development of high-impact Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to shape future system capabilities.
• Engineering Mentorship: Apply advanced electronics engineering concepts, standards, and best practices to mentor junior engineers and advise on complex project developments from inception through execution.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments (approximately 20 days per year).
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• This position is designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
• Must meet or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
• This position is a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.
• This is a cybersecurity position; the employee will attain appropriate DoD approved cybersecurity baseline certificate(s) applicable for cybersecurity functions required for the DoD position held.
• Employee must, within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.”

Qualifications

• Proven Engineering Leadership: Experience acting as a lead or principal engineer, with a strong track record of coordinating complex, high-value satellite, ground terminal, or command and control (C2) systems.
• SATCOM Lifecycle Expertise: Knowledge of SATCOM systems operations, maintenance, and strategic lifecycle planning.
• No-Fail Systems Engineering: Demonstrated experience directing systems engineering processes and rapid solution deployment for mission-critical, "no-fail" military or commercial space systems.
• Joint & Coalition Interoperability: Exceptional communication and collaborative skills, with a history of successfully aligning cross-functional teams, federal stakeholders, Department of War (DoW) agencies, and international defense partners.
• Analytical Problem Solving: Strong analytical, diagnostic, and risk-management skills tailored to resolving complex hardware/software anomalies and optimizing system performance.
• Academic Foundation: Must hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution. Advanced degrees are preferred.
• Acquisition Professionalism: Acquisition experience is highly valued; holding a Defense Acquisition Workforce Foundational (or higher) Certification in Engineering and Technical Management is highly desired.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.