Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - Satellite Ground Systems, Onsite

About the Role

Are you an authority in nuclear detonation detection systems engineering with a passion for being a part of teams innovating the next generation of mobile ground systems? We are seeking highly motivated Systems Engineers to join our growing dynamic team! This job opening is for multiple positions to support the new UGNT 7 and MUGNT programs under USNDS.

You will be part of a team of Systems Engineers responsible for technical risk management, requirements derivation and management activities, and collaborating with external partners and customers to provide technical advice. The primary focus of your role is on system-level coordination, with close coordination with internal and external partners being vital. Join us to develop creative solutions to unique national security challenges!

The selected candidate will have external programmatic interaction with the Space Systems Command (SSC) sponsor, other government partner organizations, and SNL organizations that partner on the USNDS Ground efforts.

Responsibilities

• Work with technical leads to track progress, resolve technical issues, and support system/subsystem technical reviews.
• Work with other Systems Engineers and Project Leads to define and clarify project requirements, develop project support plans, and establish acceptance criteria for system and subsystem technical reviews.
• Perform requirements definition, verification and validation, mapping and allocation, downlink definition, ICD review and management.
• Define acceptance criteria for subsystems and perform technical reviews on project documents.
• Coordinate integration and test activities and provide technical information to internal organizations and the project office.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM, with some options for occasional telework. Some travel is required for this position.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Engineering or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience working with Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) laboratories and plants including Pantex, Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Kansas City National Security Campus/New Mexico Operations (KCNSC/NMO).
• Experience working on engineering design, qualification, production, or related modeling/simulation projects.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Master's degree in a relevant STEM field, such as engineering or science.
• Experience with some aspect of this nation's survivable nuclear command and control architecture.
• Proven ability to build effective partnerships across customer and organizational boundaries.
• Three or more years of domain experience working on the USNDS Program, with ground system experience.
• Knowledge of large-scale software engineering processes and software design/development experience.
• Experience developing and documenting performance requirements for large projects.
• Experience with formal system test processes.
• RF and digital baseband theory as applicable to antenna and digital receiver systems.
• Familiarity with space-to-ground RF link budgets.
• Proven leadership and strong dedication to a positive teaming dynamic.

About the Team

We have researched and developed new monitoring systems and technologies for over half a century. Building on that legacy, today we support national security missions involving nuclear proliferation detection, treaty monitoring, arms control, and various needs within the national security communities. We lead the design, development, test, and delivery of the next generation ground segment of the United States Nuclear Detonation Detection System (USNDS).

The team provides leadership and technical solutions throughout the acquisition life cycle of next-generation ground systems. Working with USNDS partners to define future ground system performance and operational requirements, the group ensures all work is completed within the approved schedule and budget. Additionally, the team communicates status, issue resolution, and related communications with the Space Systems Command (SSC) acquisition customer and key USNDS partner community.

Pay

Salary Range: $117,500 - $235,700

Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide.
• Extraordinary co-workers and some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world.
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home).
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance, and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.

*Benefits vary by job classification.