Ground Systems Software Engineering SETA (Agile/Cloud)

Space Systems Integration; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative aerospace engineering firm in Chantilly, Virginia is seeking a Ground Systems Software Engineering SETA to oversee software development, integration, and delivery. The ideal candidate will leverage hands-on software engineering experience to evaluate Agile execution and cloud practices. Must hold an active Top Secret/SCI clearance, with a Bachelor's degree in a STEM field and significant work experience. The role supports mission capabilities through effective software solutions and collaboration with US government stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph required.
• 10+ years of experience or Masters degree with 8+ years of experience.
• Strong interpersonal, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advisory support on ground system software development.
• Monitor Agile software delivery and identify risks or inefficiencies.
• Evaluate cloud-based architectures and ensure alignment with best practices.

Skills

Software engineering

Agile methodologies

Cloud computing (AWS/Azure/GCP)

DevSecOps practices

AI/ML techniques

Education

Bachelors degree in a STEM field

Masters degree

Job description

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is a fast-growing engineering company that provides aerospace solutions to a variety of government and commercial customers. Our employees are forward-thinking, self-directed individuals who are committed to solving our customers’ technical challenges.

SSI is seeking a Ground Systems Software Engineering SETA (Agile/Cloud) to oversee the development, integration, and delivery of ground system software, leveraging hands‑on engineering experience to assess architectures, practices, and performance. The role emphasizes Agile execution, cloud and DevSecOps maturity, and alignment of space‑based mission capabilities to effective ground processing solutions.

Specific Duties Include:

• Provide technical advisory support on ground system software development, integration, and delivery performance

• Apply hands‑on software engineering experience to evaluate architectures, code quality, and development practices

• Monitor Agile software delivery (e.g., sprint execution, backlog health, release progress) and identify risks or inefficiencies

• Distinguish between effective and ineffective engineering practices and communicate actionable recommendations to stakeholders

• Translate space‑based collection capabilities into ground processing and data exploitation requirements

• Collaborate with Customer stakeholders to refine requirements and ensure alignment with user needs and operational goals

• Contribute to Agile Release Train (ART) activities, including coordination across teams and awareness of dependencies and delivery risks

• Evaluate cloud‑based architectures and ensure alignment with modern best practices (Amazon Web Services - AWS/Azure/Google Cloud Platform - GCP)

• Assist in developing Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) and Interface Control Document (ICDs) that translate mission objectives into actionable system behaviors, interfaces, and data flows across space and ground segments

• Assess DevSecOps pipelines, Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) implementation, and automated testing maturity across programs

• Evaluate contractor proposals and performance through Basis‑of‑Estimate (BOE) and Engineer Change Proposal (ECP) reviews, and provide independent recommendations to the Contracting Office Technical Representative (COTR) regarding developer effectiveness and delivery risk

• Familiarity with Artificial IntelligenceI/Machine Learning (AI/ML) techniques and their application to space‑derived data processing, exploitation, or decision support is a plus

Required Qualifications:

• Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph (polygraph within the last ten (10) years)

• Bachelors degree in a STEM field and ten (10) or more years of experience; Masters degree and eight (8) or more years of experience

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building and problem solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a Government/Contractor team environment

• Willingness to travel 10%

Space Systems Integration provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.