Payload & Mission Engineer - SDA Tracking Architecture

About the Role

This position supports SDA's Tracking Cell and provides expertise in Missile Warning (MW), Missile Tracking (MT), and Missile Defense (MD) mission architecture definition, performance modeling and evaluation, acquisition oversight, operations planning, and external stakeholder enterprise mission integration. The selected candidate will work full-time, on-site at any of the following locations: Chantilly, VA, El Segundo, CA, Huntsville, AL, Colorado Springs, CO, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, FL, Hill AFB, UT, or Albuquerque, NM.

Responsibilities

• Lead cutting-edge mission architecture development for DoD's most advanced space-based missile warning and tracking systems, directly impacting national security and warfighter effectiveness.
• Support the SDA Tracking Cell Director and Tracking Tranche Program Managers in delivering Warfighter capabilities that fill critical capability gaps.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to SDA senior leadership, influencing multi-billion-dollar space architecture investment decisions.
• Provide Missile Warning, Tracking, and Defense (MWTD) technical leadership across all tranches, including architectural modeling, requirements definition, acquisition support, enterprise stakeholder coordination, partner system integration, and ensuring SDA Tracking space and ground efforts fulfill warfighter requirements.
• Drive innovation in proliferated LEO constellation design at the intersection of space systems engineering, missile defense operations, and emerging technologies.
• Engage daily with SDA senior leaders, FFRDCs, SETAs, UARC personnel, DoD stakeholders, and industry partners to accelerate and enhance missile defense capabilities.
• Provide mission systems engineering expertise to guide contract execution, performance assessments and trades, on-orbit operations planning, PWSA space and ground system integration, technology roadmap development, and future tranche requirement definition.
• Direct high-performing technical teams from Aerospace's Engineering Technology Group, guiding Tracking modeling, simulation, and analysis efforts that validate operational performance and inform billion-dollar acquisition decisions.
• Monitor contractor execution, provide direct systems engineering and SME support, and oversee analysis of operational capabilities for missile defense scenarios.
• Apply innovative approaches throughout the full mission lifecycle—from requirements definition and contractor oversight to on-orbit testing and operational integration—bridging the gap between Tracking acquisition and operations while ensuring enterprise and warfighter integration.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's or Advanced degree from an accredited program in engineering, math, computer science, physics, or other related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive engineering experience in space systems, with demonstrated growth in technical leadership and program influence.
• Relevant, progressive experience in Missile Warning, Tracking, and Defense (MWTD) space vehicle development, test, and/or space-to-ground system integration.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional high-performance teams in fast-paced environments, working effectively across the Aerospace Engineering Technology Group matrix and other program offices.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes through data-driven analysis while building and maintaining substantive rapport with Aerospace peers and government customers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizing complex technical concepts clearly and building consensus through persuasive, polished professional communication.
• Willingness to travel domestically approximately 10% of the time.
• Current and active TS/SCI clearance, which is issued by the US government. US citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in engineering, math, computer science, physics, or related discipline.
• 12+ years of specialized experience in MWTD systems, architectures, operations, data processing, and performance assessment.
• Experience with missile defense sensors and space-based tracking systems, such as space-based infrared systems (SBIRS/OPIR/API), or familiarity with related EO/IR sensor phenomenology, tracking algorithms, or mission analysis tools.
• Background in signal processing, data fusion techniques, or modeling and simulation tools (e.g., STK, EADSIM, AFSIM, or similar).
• Experience with space architecture concepts such as proliferated LEO constellations, inter-satellite links, mesh networks, or JADC2 integration, and/or familiarity with MDA/BMDS architectures.
• Exposure to or experience with rapid acquisition approaches, including agile frameworks, MTA authorities, OTA contracting, or programs like SpRCO, DIU, or similar organizations.
• Leadership and customer engagement, including mentoring engineers and delivering comprehensive assessment products to senior stakeholders.
• Multidisciplinary space enterprise knowledge spanning DoD, IC, Civil, and Commercial missions, technologies, and operations, with direct SDA experience and familiarity with SDA Tracking architecture, functional cells, and leadership interactions highly valued.

Pay

$166,400.00 - $249,600.00 annually

Benefits

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans.
• Paid holidays, sick time, and vacation.
• Standard and alternate work schedules, including telework options.
• 401(k) Plan — Employees receive a total company-paid benefit of 8%, 10%, or 12% of eligible compensation based on years of service and matching contributions; employees are immediately eligible and vested in the plan upon hire.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Variable pay program for exceptional contributions.
• Relocation assistance.
• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career.
• Education assistance programs.
• An inclusive work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.