Chief Engineer, Space Systems

DRS Global; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense seeks a Chief Engineer, Space Systems to serve as the technical authority for architecture, integration, and delivery of spacecraft and hosted payload solutions across SES programs. You will lead a matrixed engineering organization spanning spacecraft, payloads, systems engineering, mission assurance, and external partners to balance performance, cost, schedule, and risk.

You will shape next-generation hosted payload architectures and mission-enabled space systems while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related technical discipline.
• 12+ years in spacecraft, payloads, or space systems.
• Experience as Chief Engineer or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft architecture and mission systems engineering.
• Clearance: TS/SCI preferred or ability to obtain.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft and hosted payload solutions from concept development through on-orbit mission execution
• Lead the technical execution of space system programs, ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, and mission performance objectives
• Direct a matrixed engineering organization spanning systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners
• Define overall spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines
• Lead development of systems engineering artifacts including requirements, CONOPS, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), trade studies, verification plans, and technical baselines
• Ensure successful integration across spacecraft buses, communications payloads, onboard processing, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, attitude determination and control, and other spacecraft subsystems
• Lead technical planning and execution through major program milestones including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and early on-orbit operations
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle
• Partner directly with government customers, mission partners, and suppliers to translate mission requirements into executable technical solutions
• Establish engineering operating rhythm, technical governance, design reviews, reporting, and decision-making processes across integrated engineering teams
• Collaborate with ground engineering and mission operations organizations to ensure successful integration between spacecraft and supporting operational infrastructure while maintaining primary ownership of the space segment
• Support strategic growth initiatives by shaping technical solutions for future hosted payload, communications, sensing, and emerging space mission opportunities
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders while fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

Technical communication

Matrixed organization leadership

Program execution

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Physics

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

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:

As the Chief Engineer, Space Systems, you will serve as the technical authority responsible for the architecture, integration, and successful delivery of spacecraft and hosted payload solutions across SES Space & Defense programs. You will lead the technical execution of complex, mission-critical space systems by orchestrating a matrixed engineering organization spanning spacecraft, payloads, systems engineering, mission assurance, and external partners. Working closely with Program Management, customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders, you will ensure technical solutions meet mission objectives while balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk. This role plays a central part in expanding SES Space & Defense's space capabilities, helping shape next-generation hosted payload, sensing, communications, and mission-enabled space architectures supporting national security customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft and hosted payload solutions from concept development through on-orbit mission execution
• Lead the technical execution of space system programs, ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, and mission performance objectives
• Direct a matrixed engineering organization spanning systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners
• Define overall spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines
• Lead development of systems engineering artifacts including requirements, CONOPS, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), trade studies, verification plans, and technical baselines
• Ensure successful integration across spacecraft buses, communications payloads, onboard processing, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, attitude determination and control, and other spacecraft subsystems
• Lead technical planning and execution through major program milestones including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and early on-orbit operations
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle
• Partner directly with government customers, mission partners, and suppliers to translate mission requirements into executable technical solutions
• Establish engineering operating rhythm, technical governance, design reviews, reporting, and decision-making processes across integrated engineering teams
• Collaborate with ground engineering and mission operations organizations to ensure successful integration between spacecraft and supporting operational infrastructure while maintaining primary ownership of the space segment
• Support strategic growth initiatives by shaping technical solutions for future hosted payload, communications, sensing, and emerging space mission opportunities
• Mentor and develop engineering leaders while fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the organization

Who You Are:

You are a systems-level engineering leader with a demonstrated ability to architect, integrate, and deliver complex spacecraft and hosted payload solutions throughout the complete mission lifecycle. You understand how multidisciplinary engineering teams come together to transform mission requirements into operational space capabilities and are comfortable leading highly technical organizations through ambiguity and complexity. You naturally build credibility with customers, engineering teams, executive leadership, and industry partners by combining deep technical expertise with strong program execution and sound engineering judgment. Whether developing next-generation payload architectures, leading technical trade studies, or guiding engineering organizations through critical design reviews and launch preparation, you remain focused on delivering reliable, mission-ready space systems that enable customer success.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred
• Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience designing, developing, integrating, or delivering spacecraft, payloads, satellite systems, or other complex aerospace systems
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role
• Strong background in spacecraft architecture, payload systems, hosted payloads, satellite subsystems, or mission systems engineering
• Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems including communications payloads, RF systems, onboard processors, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, structures, and attitude determination and control systems
• Extensive knowledge of systems engineering processes including requirements development, architecture definition, interface management, verification and validation, and technical risk management
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations within a matrixed environment while influencing without direct authority
• Experience supporting the complete system lifecycle including concept development, design, integration, environmental test, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit operations
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with government customers, executive leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and mission partners
• Experience supporting national security, defense, civil government, or commercial space programs
• Active Top Secret security clearance preferred, or the ability to obtain and maintain one; TS/SCI eligibility preferred

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.

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