Satellite Systems Engineer

Location: Chantilly, VA

Clearance Level: Must possess an active TS/SCI clearance with Polygraph; must be able to obtain TS/SCI with Poly

Travel: Yes - 10% of the time

Potential for remote work: On-site

About the Role

Serve as a member of the Program Office technical staff for designing, developing, and integrating complete satellite systems, including spacecraft bus, payload, and ground subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Translate mission requirements into detailed technical specifications
• Assist with development and definition of interfaces between multiple system elements
• Perform system-level trade studies to optimize performance, cost, and risk
• Execute and manage multiple systems engineering processes within the government program office
• Provide technical oversight to contractors and vendors, ensuring designs meet all program requirements and interface requirements, and processes are compliant with specified standards
• Oversee integration and test activities, including requirements verification and environmental testing
• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and operators to develop mission objectives, use cases, employment scenarios, and Concepts of Operations
• Oversee prime contractors’ development and ensure systems meet customer requirements, risk tolerance, budget, and schedule, while assessing technical solutions and recommending Courses of Action (COA)
• Work closely with a multidisciplinary team to ensure system integration and mission success; foster communication and alignment among team members to identify challenges and corresponding solutions
• Evaluate prime contractor performance at milestone reviews by analyzing compliance with technical requirements and quality of deliverables; offer recommendations to improve project outcomes and likelihood of success
• Identify and manage risks throughout the systems engineering lifecycle by conducting risk assessments, developing, implementing, and monitoring mitigation strategies, and evaluating potential impacts on mission objectives

Requirements

• Experience with the Intelligence Community and/or the Department of Defense Program Office best practices
• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience; OR Master’s degree and 3 years of relevant experience
• At least 4 years of experience working on a Government or Commercial satellite program
• Effective interpersonal skills across multiple groups, offices, and organizations
• Strong briefing and writing skills
• Ability to communicate to a diverse audience of senior decision makers with varying levels of programmatic and technical expertise
• Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, and team environment with no supervision

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related STEM field
• Deep knowledge of satellite subsystems, including Attitude and Orbit Control (ADCS), power, propulsion, communications (RF), and thermal control
• Experience implementing model-based systems engineering (MBSE) in SysML and familiarity with MBSE tools such as Cameo

Pay

Target salary range: $120,001 - $160,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.