Chief Engineer, Space Systems

SES Space & Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is looking for a technical and execution leader responsible for delivering hosted payload and mission solutions across various programs. This role involves leading integration efforts across multiple teams to ensure successful mission performance.

Candidates should have a minimum of 12 years of experience in aerospace or satellite systems, with strong leadership skills in matrixed environments. An active Top Secret clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in aerospace, satellite systems, or related technical environments.
• Proven experience leading Integrated Product Teams (IPT).
• Strong background in communications payloads across various architectures.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of the Payload Systems IPT.
• Lead integration across spacecraft bus and communications payloads.
• Define and manage system architecture and integration strategy.

Skills

Aerospace experience

Systems engineering

Communications payloads

Leadership in matrixed organizations

Integration of satellite systems

Job description

Overview

SES Space & Defense is a trusted partner ensuring mission success for our customers by blanketing the globe with multi orbit end to end satellite and technology solutions which provide reliable, secure, and high bandwidth connectivity. We strive to be the only solution when success is critical, and we will take care of our employees because we recognize they are our competitive advantage. The SES S&D Team, along with our customers and partners, will achieve success through integrity, honor, and commitment.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will serve as the technical and execution leader responsible for delivering hosted payload and payload-enabled mission solutions across SES Space & Defense programs. You will operate as the integrator across spacecraft, payload, and ground systems, orchestrating a matrixed team of multiple engineers across SES, partners, and vendors. Your focus is ensuring payload systems are architected, integrated, and delivered on cost, on schedule, and to mission performance standards. This role sits at the center of a growing capability for SES, shaping how payloads are defined, integrated, and operationalized across multi-orbit architectures and emerging mission areas such as SSA, inter-satellite links, sensor networks, and others.

Key Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end execution of the Payload Systems IPT, accountable for technical performance, cost, and schedule across hosted payload programs
• Lead integration across spacecraft bus, communications payloads, onboard processors, propulsion, thermal, and other subsystem elements to deliver a fully functional space system
• Orchestrate a matrixed engineering organization (internal and external) spanning systems engineering, payload engineering, spacecraft, vendors, and mission partners
• Define and manage system architecture, interfaces, and integration strategy across space and ground segments
• Ensure alignment between payload design and mission operations, including TT&C, satellite operations (SOC), tasking, and network integration
• Drive development of key systems engineering artifacts including CONOPS, requirements, ICDs, trade studies, and verification plans
• Lead cross-functional coordination through program lifecycle milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations)
• Identify, manage, and mitigate technical, schedule, and integration risks across multi-organizational stakeholders
• Partner directly with customers, government stakeholders, and mission partners to translate mission requirements into executable payload solutions
• Establish operating rhythm, reporting, and performance tracking to ensure clarity, accountability, and execution across the IPT

Who You Are / Impact You’ll Own

You are a systems-level leader who has operated at the intersection of spacecraft, payloads, and mission operations, with a track record of delivering complex aerospace or space-based systems. You bring a strong understanding of communications payloads and how they integrate across both the space and ground segments, and you are comfortable leading through influence in a matrixed environment rather than direct authority. You’ve owned execution across multidisciplinary teams, translating ambiguity into structured plans and driving programs through technical and operational complexity. You are equally comfortable in deep technical discussions and executive-level communication, and you understand how to balance engineering rigor with program execution.

Key Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of experience in aerospace, satellite systems, or related technical environments (systems engineering, payloads, or spacecraft integration)
• Proven experience leading Integrated Product Teams (IPT) or equivalent cross-functional technical organizations
• Strong background in communications payloads (RF systems), ideally across UHF, Ka-, Ku-, or X-band architectures
• Experience integrating space segment components (payload, bus, subsystems) with ground segment operations (TT&C, SOC/NOC, networking, mission operations)
• Demonstrated ownership of technical, cost, and schedule execution across complex programs
• Experience working across the full system lifecycle including design, integration, test, launch, and operations
• Familiarity with systems engineering practices including requirements development, interface management, and verification & validation
• Experience collaborating with external partners, vendors, and government stakeholders in a mission-driven environment
• Strong ability to lead in a matrixed organization, influencing without direct authority across distributed teams
• Active Top Secret clearance (TS/SCI preferred) or ability to obtain and maintain

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.