Satellite Systems Engineer

Spacesystemsintegration; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is seeking a Satellite Systems Engineer with TS/SCI CI Poly to provide SETA support for a SPO in Chantilly, VA. You will contribute to the full lifecycle of satellite system development, from requirements to verification and mission success.

You will collaborate with government and contractors, lead technical briefings, and help identify technology gaps while guiding risk management and performance metrics to ensure space resiliency.

Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance with CI polygraph within 10 years.
• Bachelor's in engineering; 10+ years experience; Masters 8+ years acceptable.
• PMI PMP or INCOSE CSEP/ESEP or equivalent certifications.

Responsibilities

• Oversee acquisitions by focusing on systems engineering processes and lifecycle readiness.
• Develop and review SOWs, conduct technical evaluations, facilitate source selection.
• Manage risk across satellite lifecycle and ensure contract requirements are met.
• Serve as technical liaison between Government and contractors; align stakeholders.
• Collaborate with SMEs to understand system designs, interfaces, and mission requirements.

Skills

Clearance management

Lead collaboration

Technical briefing

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's degree

PMI PMP / INCOSE CSEP/ESEP or equivalent

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 Satellite Systems Engineer (TS/SCI CI Poly required) to provide Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) support to a System Program Office (SPO) at our Customer in Chantilly, VA. The role involves supporting satellite system development and acquisitions to enhance space resiliency and collaborating with IC organizations and technical providers to address emerging threats. As part of a team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), the engineer will contribute to the full lifecycle of systems engineering and management processes, ensuring the delivery of critical space resiliency capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee acquisitions by focusing on systems engineering processes, ensuring successful integration and mission achievement through lifecycle readiness reviews, including system requirements definition, design, verification, and validation.
• Support the full acquisition lifecycle by developing and reviewing Statements of Work (SOWs), conducting technical evaluations, facilitating source selection, and ensuring alignment with mission objectives and regulatory standards.
• Manage risk throughout the satellite lifecycle, identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to maintain system integrity and mission success.
• Serve as a technical liaison between the Government and development contractors, fostering clear communication and alignment between all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with technical domain experts, and internal and external partners to gain a thorough understanding of system designs, interfaces, and mission requirements, driving integration into Customer architecture.
• Guide Contracting Officers (COs) and Contracting Officer Technical Representatives (COTRs) to ensure contract requirements, performance metrics, and deliverables align with mission objectives while managing risks and compliance.
• Assist the Customer in identifying technology gaps, developing strategic roadmaps, and successfully implementing projects and programs within Customer architecture.
• Prepare high-impact documents and briefings to communicate project status, findings, and recommendations to Government and industry stakeholders.
• Leverage data analytics and performance metrics to evaluate and enhance system performance, guiding decision-making throughout the system lifecycle.
• Research and recommend emerging technologies for integration into space systems, advancing capabilities and enhancing mission success.

Qualifications

• Must possess an active Top Secret/SCI clearance and CI polygraph (polygraph within the last ten (10) years).
• Bachelor's degree in engineering and ten (10) or more years of experience; Masters degree and eight (8) or more years of experience.
• Experience with all phases of the satellite mission lifecycle, from concept development and design through integration, testing, and post-launch operations.
• Experience with space systems design, development, assembly, integration, and testing, including architectures, spacecraft, and payloads, for the Intelligence Community (IC) and/or the Department of Defense (DoD). PMI PMP, INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, or equivalent certifications in project management and/or systems engineering.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, team building, and problem‑solving skills with a demonstrated ability to be effective in a Government/Contractor team environment.
• Ability to communicate complex technical topics to senior decision-makers with varying technical backgrounds through clear briefings and written reports.
• Willingness to travel up to 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, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.