Space Protection Operations Engineer

Overview

VTG is seeking a Space Protection Operations Engineer to join the Air Force, Space, and Intelligence Business Group providing systems engineering and technical advisory services to a rapidly expanding Government Intelligence Community (IC) customer. The customer is developing the next generation of space and ground systems, architectures, and hardware and software solutions. This position may require weekly travel to other locations in the Washington, DC metro area.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) and System Program Office (SPO) representative coordinating with end‑user operators, the developer, and other stakeholders for the deployment of new protection capabilities into space operations.
• Act as the SPO’s on‑site agent for user‑engagement with operators of a space protection system and collaborate with site users and SMEs within the SPO home office to support system testing, transition to operations planning, user/operator training, Operations and Maintenance (O&M) planning and Deficiency Report (DR) management.
• Represent SPO equities to the site’s Operations stakeholders.
• Provide space protection operations mission expertise to acquisition managers and software engineers in the development of tools that provide operators indications and warning against space threats.
• Elicit system capability needs and user interface/experience (UI/UX) preferences from operational users.
• Collaborate with software developers to inform/guide mission application enhancements.
• Manage the transition of new capabilities and software deliveries to operations.
• Lead the review and coordination of system documentation and training materials.
• Evaluate developer solutions, guide software deployment activities, and assess software patches/fixes.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with Polygraph.
• Bachelor’s degree and 9 or more years of experience, or master’s degree and 7 or more years of experience; extensive experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Experience in IC or DoW space acquisitions or mission operations.
• Experience deploying and sustaining software within a 24/7 operations center or similar environment.
• Knowledge of agile software development principles.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with DevOps, including continuous integration and continuous delivery/deployment (CI/CD).
• Experience in Space Protection operations and familiarity with protection technologies.
• Experience authoring operator‑related or software deployment documentation.
• Experience in space system testing, simulation, and modeling environments.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of orbital mechanics and orbit determination.

Pay

VTG’s estimated starting pay range is $130,000 – $197,000 annually, which is a general guideline for the geographic location. When extending an offer, VTG also considers work experience, education, skill level, market considerations and may possibly include contractual requirements which may cause an offer to fall outside of this range.