HADES - Chief Engineer - Space Ground Systems

General Dynamics Information Technology; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401K match

Education assistance

Flexible schedule

Career mobility

Job summary

General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) seeks a Ground Systems Chief Engineer in Albuquerque, NM to lead the technical strategy, system architecture, and mission integration for next‑generation satellite C2 capabilities.

You will guide end‑to‑end systems engineering across cyber, crypto, communications, and cloud‑based technologies, collaborating with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor partners.

Qualifications

• BS in a technical field required.
• MS preferred.
• 15+ years systems engineering experience in aerospace, satellite ground systems, or major DoD programs.
• 4+ years in senior technical leadership (Chief Engineer, Lead Architect, Technical Director).
• Experience with three of the following domains: satellite ground control, hybrid cloud, multi‑mission environments, large scale software systems, configuration management, DevSecOps, 24x7 operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full systems engineering lifecycle for satellite ground systems.
• Drive technical requirements, test-driven design, and verification approaches.
• Architect modular, open‑systems designs and reusable components.
• Oversee integration and change management across baselines.
• Coordinate validation with users, customers, and stakeholders.
• Perform architecture and engineering analyses including lifecycle costs and CONOPS.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements management

Model-based engineering

Risk management

Stakeholder collaboration

Architect modular designs

Education

BS in a technical field

MS preferred

Tools

AWS GovCloud

Azure Government

Kubernetes

Job description

Join General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and help tackle some of the nation’s most complex space and ground-system challenges. The U.S. Space Force’s HADES program is seeking a Ground Systems Chief Engineer in Albuquerque, NM to lead technical strategy, system architecture, and mission integration for next-generation satellite C2 capabilities.

Role Overview

As the program’s senior technical leader, you will guide end‑to‑end systems engineering for advanced satellite ground systems. You’ll shape architecture, drive mission risk management, and lead integration across cyber, crypto, communications, and cloud-based technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full systems engineering lifecycle, using authoritative data and model-based engineering to reduce risk and improve product quality
• Drive technical requirements, test-driven design, and verification approaches
• Architect modular, open‑systems designs and identify reusable components
• Direct implementation aligned to change management and system baselines
• Oversee integration using automated, model-driven interface control
• Build comprehensive test strategies across unit, subsystem, integration, and end‑to‑end levels
• Coordinate validation with users, customers, and mission stakeholders
• Design repeatable sustainment processes and data‑driven maintenance insights
• Oversee mission‑unique software integration and interface management
• Lead system-of-systems integration across space and ground segments
• Perform architecture and engineering analysis including requirements, interfaces, data architectures, performance, lifecycle costs, and CONOPS
• Support risk management with technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Collaborate closely with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor partners

Basic Qualifications

• BS in a technical field required; MS preferred
• 15+ years systems engineering experience in aerospace, satellite ground systems, or major DoD programs
• 4+ years in senior technical leadership (Chief Engineer, Lead Architect, Technical Director)

Experience with at least three of the following:

• Satellite ground control systems (MCC/SOC)
• Hybrid cloud architectures (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, on-prem)
• Multi‑mission, multi‑classification environments
• Enterprise software‑intensive or low‑cost R&D systems
• Complex configuration management for ground infrastructures
• DevSecOps, CI/CD, IaC
• High-availability 24x7 operations (99.9%+)

Active TS with SCI eligibility

Required Certifications

• AWS Solutions Architect - Professional OR Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• INCOSE CSEP or ESEP
• CISSP or Security+ (8140)
• One of: SAFe Architect, DoDAF/MODAF, Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

WHAT CAN GDIT OFFER YOU?

• Excellent customizable health benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision)
• 401K with company match
• Educational Assistance and eLearning
• Flexible work week
• Internal mobility team dedicated to employee advancement
• Rewards and Recognition programs
• Innovative and collaborative environment encouraging of highly motivated critical thinking