Ground Systems IPT Lead

SES Space & Defense; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SES Space & Defense, located in Reston, Virginia, is seeking a Ground Segment IPT Lead. This role involves the design, integration, and delivery of ground segment capabilities for satellite missions. You will work directly with mission stakeholders, leading technical trade studies and ensuring mission readiness through collaboration with engineers and subcontractors.

The ideal candidate will have a STEM degree, extensive experience in satellite ground systems, and a demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams. U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience supporting government, aerospace, defense, or space programs.
• Experience designing, developing, integrating satellite ground systems.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead ground segment architecture development.
• Translate customer requirements into system requirements.
• Serve as the primary integration authority across systems.

Skills

Satellite command and control

Network architectures

Cybersecurity

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline

Master's degree in a STEM discipline

Job description

Overview

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe. Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale. With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government, national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission‑critical communications.

What You'll Do

In this role, you will serve as the Ground Segment IPT Lead and technical authority responsible for the design, integration, and delivery of ground segment capabilities supporting hosted payload and satellite missions within the PTS‑G program. You will work directly with customers, mission stakeholders, spacecraft providers, and engineering teams to translate mission requirements into operational ground architectures spanning command and control, TT&C, mission operations, networking, cybersecurity, payload operations, and user‑facing systems. Acting as both the lead systems architect and IPT lead for the ground segment, you will drive technical trade studies, requirements development, interface definition, integration planning, and operational readiness activities throughout the full mission lifecycle. This role requires deep technical expertise, systems‑level thinking, and the ability to lead a matrixed team of engineers, subcontractors, and mission partners to deliver mission‑ready ground solutions aligned to customer objectives.

• Lead ground segment architecture development and subsystem design activities supporting customer mission requirements
• Define mission operations concepts, command and control architectures, TT&C strategies, networking architectures, cybersecurity approaches, and payload operations concepts
• Translate customer requirements into system requirements, interface definitions, architectures, verification plans, and executable engineering roadmaps
• Lead technical trade studies and design decisions across hardware, software, networking, cloud, automation, and operational infrastructure
• Serve as the primary integration authority across spacecraft, payload, mission operations, networking, cybersecurity, and user systems
• Accountable for technical, cost, schedule, and risk execution of the Ground Segment IPT
• Lead development of systems engineering artifacts including CONOPS, architectures, ICDs, mission analyses, verification strategies, and readiness plans
• Oversee integration, verification, validation, mission rehearsals, operational testing, and readiness activities through launch and on‑orbit operations
• Coordinate execution across engineering teams, subcontractors, mission partners, and government stakeholders to resolve technical and programmatic challenges
• Serve as the primary customer interface for Ground Segment execution activities, supporting reviews, technical interchange meetings, and major program milestones

Who You Are

You are a highly technical systems leader with experience designing, integrating, and delivering complex satellite ground systems supporting operational space missions. You understand how mission operations, command and control, TT&C, networking, cybersecurity, payload operations, and spacecraft systems come together to create an end‑to‑end mission capability. You have a proven ability to translate customer requirements into executable architectures, lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through technical complexity, and drive successful execution across the full system lifecycle. You are comfortable balancing engineering rigor with program execution, influencing stakeholders across government, industry, and internal organizations while maintaining focus on mission success. Ultimately, you serve as the technical integrator who aligns spacecraft, payload, ground systems, and mission operations into a cohesive, operationally effective solution.

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM discipline with 12+ years of experience, or Master's degree with 10+ years of experience supporting government, aerospace, defense, or space programs
• Experience designing, developing, integrating, or operating satellite ground systems supporting mission‑critical space programs
• Demonstrated experience serving as a Ground Segment Lead, Ground Systems Architect, Mission Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Chief Engineer, or equivalent technical leadership role
• Strong understanding of satellite command and control systems, TT&C architectures, mission operations centers, networking, cybersecurity, and payload operations
• Experience developing system architectures, requirements, interface definitions, verification strategies, and operational concepts for complex mission systems
• Familiarity with Systems Engineering and MBSE methodologies, including requirements management and interface control
• Experience leading technical trade studies, integration planning, verification and validation activities, and operational readiness efforts
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and coordinate execution across customers, subcontractors, mission partners, and internal stakeholders
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, launch preparation, commissioning, and mission operations preferred
• U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance; active TS/SCI preferred

SES Space and 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.