Ground Systems Engineer – Senior

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI); Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) seeks a senior Ground System Engineer to support first-of-kind space vehicle and ground system software development.

The role provides System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) and requires leading problem solving in a fast-paced, high‑profile environment in Colorado Springs. You will work with antenna networks, satellite scheduling apps, and ground operations, review requirements and test strategies, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years DoD/IC or equivalent experience.
• Experience in software for space systems including architectures and requirements.
• Understanding of space operational environment and mission needs.
• Knowledge of space system engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• DoD program management experience and schedules/risk management.
• Experience with SOW and PWS development.
• Ground system operations, requirements analysis, test planning, and stakeholder onboarding.

Responsibilities

• Provide SETA to Government program office and manage technical deliverables.
• Track deficiency reporting and risk resolution activities.
• Own ground antenna scheduling system design documentation and baselines.
• Evaluate trends to validate nominal performance and identify degradation.
• Lead engineering activities and communicate with management and leadership.
• Support mission onboarding, configuration management, and reviews.

Skills

DoD/IC experience

Space systems software

Ground system operations

Scheduling systems

System engineering

Program management

Risk management

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

MA/MS/ME degree

Job description

Job Location

Job Location: US-CO Colorado Springs

Overview

MTSI is searching for a senior Ground System Engineer professional to support development of first‑of‑kind space vehicles and missions. This handpicked candidate must possess technical expertise and experience with developing, designing, building, and integrating space system software to include in the space vehicle and ground systems to meet overall mission requirements. In this position, you will provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO).

The Space RCO program office, located at Kirtland AFB, NM, is a small, streamlined organization with dedicated, organic acquisition support functions: contracting, financial management, human resources, security, program management and technical engineering support that are critical in enabling the rapid response required for classified space programs. The mission is to develop and deliver operationally dominant space capabilities at the speed of warfighting relevance in response to Commander, U.S. Space Command requirements. The position is outward facing with customer service being a paramount to success. A successful candidate should be a leader and problem solver with a proven ability to deliver superior results as part of a high performing team in a high‑profile, fast‑paced environment.

Ground Systems Engineer Principal Duty

You will work in a small, highly empowered team where every team member is directly responsible for the success of the program. Engineering responsibilities span technology domains including ground antenna networks (Government and commercial), satellite scheduling applications, antenna network capability testing, satellite launch and on orbit operations, and RF Spectrum in an extremely fast‑paced, responsive development environment.

This SETA candidate will provide in-depth background on software and architecture development, integration and testing for antenna scheduling, ground antenna network systems and/or subsystems to improve program office insight into state‑of‑the‑art IC, DoD, commercial and legacy space vehicle systems, and C2 requirements and capabilities. Facilitate process improvements within implementation, external connections, and automation of scheduling and operations of ground antenna networks. Evaluate current processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend improvements to optimize workflows and outcomes dealing with planning, scheduling, control, status, and telemetry/command data flows. Responsible for review of requirements, ground threads, user stories, Jira projects, test strategies, test plans, and mission partner onboarding for antenna scheduling systems regarding satellite operations of ground antenna systems. Supports and manages antenna scheduling teams to report to the Government on the progress and provide recommendations. Works with System Engineering and Mission Adoption branches for mission onboarding, configuration management, engineering reviews, test, and risk management. You must apply advanced principles, theories, and concepts for highly classified systems, while also effectively communicating complex results with management and executive leadership.

SETA Role And Responsibilities

• Provides technical guidance to the development team and program manager and is responsible for ensuring all technical and programmatic requirements for mission ground system deliveries.
• Responsible to track and oversee deficiency reporting and analysis as well as analyze plans for deficiency and risk resolution.
• Primary contact responsible for ground antenna scheduling system design documentation to include software development requirements, system requirements, critical methods high level design, and recommends changes or modifications to the aforementioned.
• Provides evaluation of trending data to validate nominal system performance or identification of system degradation.
• Reviews and approves ground antenna scheduling system baseline changes.
• Provides project management and technical readership for engineering activities.
• Work on high‑visibility or mission critical aspects of a given program and perform all functional duties independently
• Oversee the efforts of less senior staff and/or be responsible for the efforts of all staff assigned to a specific job
• Translate complex ideas and data into simple, actionable recommendations or easily differentiated courses of action
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy—oral and written

Qualifications

Required skills:

• Minimum ten (10) years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience
• Experience in the development and fielding software for space systems to include software architectures and requirements development for satellites and ground systems
• Understanding of space operational environment and corresponding mission user needs
• Knowledge of space system engineering, development, and manufacturing
• Experience in DoD program management including program development and transition
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules, and risk management
• Experience with Statements of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statements (PWS)
• Skilled in satellite ground system operations, project management, requirements analysis, test planning, and stakeholder onboarding
• Experience with driving process improvements in implementation, automation, and integration of ground antenna network operations.
• Ability to assess mission partner antenna network requirements and usage to ensure satellite operations systems are aligned with capability needs.

Desired Skills

• Five (5) years of relevant DoD and/or Industry work experience with SAP and/or SCI
• System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to Government program office
• Experience with rapid prototyping
• Experience with integrated air, space and cyberspace capabilities
• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining ground mission planning architecture and software
• Experience with ACAT I/II level acquisition programs
• Experience in planning and executing test campaigns for space systems
• Fluency with IC organizations
• Experience supporting mission onboarding and cross-functional collaboration.

Education

Desired Requirements

• An applicable engineering degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or possess a Professional Engineering license
• Relevant MA/MS/ME degree

Clearance

• Active TOP SECRET clearance with sensitive compartmentalized information (SCI) and special access program (SAP) eligibility (no less than 2 years total SAP and/or SCI environment experience, with 1-year total within last 5 years) and willingness to submit to a Counter-Intelligence polygraph
• Candidate must maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment

Location/Travel Requirements

• Full-time, on site in vicinity of Colorado Springs, CO, and will require travel up to 30% of time within the continental United States

The pay range for this position in Colorado is $170,000/year to $220,000/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on established government contract rates, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, and other factors. MTSI also offers a full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per the Colorado Equal Pay Act. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via MTSI’s internal or external careers site.