Senior Space Systems Engineer

About the role

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a highly qualified Senior Space Systems Engineer to fulfill a critical Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) position supporting the Space Development Agency (SDA). The SDA is redefining traditional Department of Defense acquisition timelines by pioneering a rapid, spiral-development methodology to field hundreds of advanced satellites every two years. At the core of this mission is the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a resilient, low-Earth orbit constellation that fundamentally enhances national defense capabilities. This pivotal role is directly aligned with Tranche 3, the architecture's most complex phase to date, which incorporates cutting-edge global hypersonic missile tracking and robust tactical data networks. Based at SDA Headquarters in Chantilly, VA, you will join an empowered, high-performing team of professionals. Serving as a trusted technical advisor to SDA program leadership, you will provide vital engineering oversight across the development, deployment, integration, and testing of next-generation space segment hardware and payloads.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design and integration of multiple space vehicles (SVs) and specialized payloads across Tranche 3, featuring high-sensitivity Wide/Medium Field-of-View (WFOV/MFOV) Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) detection sensors optimized for hypersonic and ballistic missile tracking.
• Provide technical expertise across dynamic routing network implementations, processing architectures, and payload capabilities, ensuring the seamless technical integration of Tranche 3's real-time, fire-control quality data directly into the larger DoD Joint All-Domain Command and Control enterprise.
• Provide systems engineering guidance in the development of rigorous test and evaluation plans, system verification matrices, and cross-constellation interoperability profiles, mapping system capabilities directly to Tranche 3 program milestones (e.g., PDR, CDR).
• Provide recommendations on systems integration and engineering baseline changes, while evaluating the technical maturity, manufacturing readiness levels, and supply chain risks of primary T3 space vehicle performers.
• Manage technical risk across the entire Tranche 3 architecture; spanning the Tracking Layer missile warning/defense payloads and the integrated Ground Segment Development elements and proactively recommending mitigation techniques.
• Assist the Government team on potential solutions across a wide variety of multi-domain, tactical, and mission area applications, focusing on advanced warfighter data delivery, resilient Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing distribution, and the Golden Dome missile defense shield initiative.
• Develop Concept of Operations and operational plans at both the system and enterprise mission levels, specifically outlining autonomous on-orbit tasking, resilient network management, and cross-layer data routing.
• Recommend and coordinate development with related space acquisition and missile defense activities across other DoD and non-DoD agencies, including the U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office.
• Assist with the analysis of hardware design, assembly, integration and testing, and the processing/data reduction of simulated and live EO/IR sensor streams, formulating strict technical evaluation criteria to prove compliance with SDA's stringent target tracking timelines.
• Provide lessons learned from past experience across previous programs to optimize the rapid-fielding and "spiral development" cadence unique to SDA procurement timelines.
• Drive project meetings and reviews to closure, to include Technical Interchange Meetings, design reviews, and Program Management Reviews, by coordinating Government and prime contractor objectives, establishing explicit entry/exit criteria, and resolving architectural dependencies.
• Assist the Government in analyzing contractor concept designs at the system and subsystem levels, verifying payload compatibility with common spacecraft bus designs and open-architecture standards.
• Monitor linkages and dependencies between space vehicle assembly, automated system test, ground system integration, and launch vehicle processing to coordinate rapid-turnaround technical and programmatic interactions between SDA, the Tranche 3 Program Integration contractor, hardware vendors, and operational military end-users.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in satellite systems engineering
• Experience in EO/IR sensor processing algorithms and sensor hardware
• Experienced in missile warning and missile tracking technologies
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Experience working with commercial and/or Government satellite systems
• Experience or knowledge with agencies in the DoD community
• Strong work ethic with the willingness and flexibility to adapt to changing direction

Preferred/Desired Experience

• 5+ years of experience in the DoD or Intelligence Community
• Experience as a lead or chief engineer of a large satellite project
• Hands-on experience in the assembly, integration, and test of satellites and payloads

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited university (REQUIRED)
• Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited university (DESIRED)

Clearance Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance
• Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment.
• U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.

Location and Travel

This position will be located in Chantilly, VA and is eligible for situational telework with Government customer concurrence. This position may require travel up to 15% of the time.

Pay

The pay range for this position in Chantilly is $170,000 to $230,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract ranges, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors.