Ground Systems Architect

SES Space & DEFENSE; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

401(k) retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

SES Space & Defense is seeking a Ground Systems Architect to provide technical and operational leadership across the full ground segment lifecycle for mission-critical programs. You will guide a multi-disciplinary engineering team, drive design, development, testing, and integration, and manage customer engagements and program objectives.

You will collaborate with software, systems engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure groups, applying MBSE approaches to deliver ground

Qualifications

• MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Software, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience leading IPTs or technical programs in satellite/defense domains.
• Strong understanding of satellite ground segment architectures and mission operations.
• Experience managing cost, schedule, risk, requirements, and delivery objectives.
• Familiarity with MBSE, systems engineering, integration & test, and mission lifecycle execution.
• Ability to lead cross-functional matrixed teams across software, systems engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational leadership across day-to-day execution.
• Lead multi-discipline engineering teams and guide design, development, testing, and integration activities.
• Cultivate customer relationships and manage stakeholder requirements.
• Define ground and mission operations requirements; feed back to space systems engineering.
• Oversee ground segment hardware/software development and ensure alignment with mission needs.
• Manage technical, cost, and schedule execution of ground programs.
• Define tasks to meet program milestones and oversee IPT scope of work.
• Provide oversight for the ground segment IPT and engagement with customers and subcontractors.
• Lead MBSE-based development of CONOPS, requirements, interfaces, and mission analysis.

Skills

IPT leadership

Program management

Cross-functional coordination

Education

MS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Software Engineering

MS in Computer Engineering

MS in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

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At SES Space & Defense, we deliver secure, resilient connectivity and integrated space solutions for customers operating in the world’s most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled communications, we combine capabilities across all orbits with extensive global ground infrastructure, managed networks, hosted payload solutions, and mission integration services to support communications, sensing, data transport, and operational resilience worldwide.

Our vertically integrated space and ground capabilities bring together satellite capacity, terrestrial infrastructure, advanced network technologies, and deployed user terminals to support mission-critical government operations around the world. We are a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, NASA, and other civilian agencies, delivering reliable, high-performance solutions when mission success is critical.

At SES Space & Defense, our people are our competitive advantage. You’ll work alongside a mission-driven team committed to integrity, innovation, accountability, and delivering real-world impact for customers whose missions matter most.

What You’ll Do:

As a talented and motivated professional, the Ground Systems Architect will be responsible for providing technical and operational leadership to the cross-functional organization across every aspect of day-to-day execution. The individual will have responsibility for helping lead a multi-discipline engineering team and assist in guiding all program activities related to design, development, testing by focusing on delivering solutions, removing roadblocks, simplifying large, complex problems, and anticipating Customer needs to free up engineers to focus their time and attention on the technical problems they are best equipped to solve. This position requires a combination of project management, process optimization, technical proficiency and execution skills.

The Ground Systems Architect serves an integral role in cultivating the Customer relationship, actively managing team requirements, and fostering program and team culture. This role will be a trusted advisor and thought partner to design leadership in crafting the strategy, vision and operational experience for future war fighting capabilities. The individual will be instrumental in fostering a culture of collaboration and user-focused design excellence through mentorship, coaching, and influence.

Lead gateway and user level ground equipment development. From every aspect of the ground segment mission lifecycle, from proposal/mission modeling, design, integration and test, launch and on-orbit operations, to decommissioning

Define ground and mission operations requirements and flow mission requirements back to the space systems engineering.

Support hardware and software developments, ensuring full system level coordination to the mission requirements.

Accountable for technical, cost and schedule execution of the ground programs

Define IMS tasks required to complete scope of work to achieve program milestones

Provide technical oversight and direction of the ground segment IPT for assigned program

Responsible for external stakeholder engagement for IPT’s scope of work frequently collaborating with customers and subcontractors, the overall program IPT, and mission partners.

Using traditional and Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches lead and contribute to the development all SE work products which may include:

CONOPS

Requirements and Interface Control Documents

Mission and System Analysis

Ensure plans are in place for ground segment requirement verification through the assembly, integration, and test process, including system-level test

Contributes to conduct of program design and readiness reviews.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve technical and scheduling issues and ensure alignment with overall program objectives

Collaborate with multi-discipline development teams to ensure development plans align with operational needs

Support the preparation, review, and approval of cost and resource estimates for proposals and Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) related to mission operations activities

Perform other duties as assigned or required

Develop and implement methods of operational automation, to reduce day-to-day operator responsibilities

Conduct critical ground segment testing, including radio-frequency compatibility testing, remote ground facility interface testing, and acceptance testing of critical ground assets/locations

Support the design and validate the mission “sequence of events” for bus commissioning, payload checkout/calibration, and mission operations

Plan and lead formal Mission Rehearsal events to train the mission team and to validate the mission design

Support a team of spacecraft and subsystem engineers during launch and early orbit activities to commission the space vehicle(s) for service

Focal point for customer and internal leadership during critical mission activities

Provide clarity on program objectives, ensure that roles and responsibilities are well understood and address any conflict in a timely manner, with minimal direction and assistance from management.

Who You Are:

You are a systems-oriented leader with experience delivering complex space, satellite, or ground systems programs in highly technical and mission-driven environments. You understand how satellite operations, mission software, networking, command and control systems, and operational ground infrastructure must come together to support successful mission execution. You bring strong program leadership and cross-functional coordination skills, with the ability to lead matrixed engineering teams, manage competing priorities, and drive execution across the full system lifecycle. You are comfortable operating at the intersection of technical integration, customer engagement, and operational delivery, helping teams navigate ambiguity while maintaining program discipline and momentum. Ultimately, you serve as the connective force that aligns technology, operations, and execution to deliver mission-ready ground segment capabilities.

M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Software, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Experience leading IPTs, technical programs, or product teams supporting satellite, aerospace, or defense-related systems

Strong understanding of satellite ground segment architectures, mission operations, networking, command and control, or mission management systems

Experience managing technical execution across cost, schedule, risk, requirements, and operational delivery objectives

Familiarity with systems engineering, integration and test, operational readiness, and mission lifecycle execution

Ability to lead cross-functional matrixed teams across software, systems engineering, operations, cybersecurity, and infrastructure organizations

Experience supporting government, defense, intelligence, or national security space customers preferred

Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills

Familiarity with Agile development environments, configuration management, and program controls preferred

Active Secret clearance preferred; TS/SCI or ability to obtain and maintain strongly desired

SES Space & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law

The final base salary offered will be determined based on factors such as the position’s location, the candidate’s relevant skills, experience, and qualifications.

Where applicable, this position may also be eligible for an annual bonus. Employees are eligible to participate in SES Space & Defense’s benefits programs, which include paid vacation, sick and personal leave; medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k)-retirement plan; and others.

An Equal Opportunity Employer:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.