Target Custody Systems Engineer

Space Dynamics Laboratory; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Space Dynamics Laboratory in Chantilly, Virginia, is seeking a Senior Space Systems Engineer to lead and integrate defense mission space and ground systems. The role emphasizes systems engineering, requirements management, and interface coordination across government and contractor teams, with travel about 6-9 weeks a year.

Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and 10+ years of space systems experience; salary range $129,000–$210,000, with DoD SkillBridge options where

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering or related field with 10+ years of space systems engineering experience.
• Experience with space and ground subsystems; knowledge of government and commercial programs.
• Ability to translate customer requirements into risk, cost, and schedule insights.
• Excellent collaboration and communication across diverse teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise on defense mission space and ground systems integration.
• Assess architecture, designs, implementation, and operations for interoperability and end-to-end performance.
• Draft ICDs, SOWs, test plans, ConOps, and architecture documents.
• Lead or participate in IV&V and interface groups for space-ground and ground networks.
• Maintain cross-group communication among providers, offices, and partners.
• Support program managers on project tracking, risk, interfaces, and configurations.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

Risk assessment

Interfacing

Technical communication

Space systems

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Provides subject matter expertise related to defense mission space and ground systems integration
  • This includes space-ground and ground-ground interface requirements, design, integration, testing, and operations
• Assess system architecture, designs, implementation, and operations with focus on interoperability, verifiability, and end to end performance
• Drafts, develops, and/or provides input to ICDs, SOWs, test plans and procedures, ConOps, architecture and systems descriptions, schedules, and various other engineering and programmatic documents
• Leads or has a key role in interface and IV&V related working groups focused on space-to-ground, ground network, cloud services, and other intra- and inter-ground segment products
• Maintains strong communication on technical topics between working groups, integrated product teams, space system providers, ground system providers, and government program offices
• Leads government assessment of the ground system contractor’s integrated system validation and verification (end to end) test planning and execution
• Monitors systems testing and interface/end-end testing with the space vehicle vendors and mission partners
• Provides technical assessment of success of such testing and recommendations on acceptance of test results and disposition of deviations
• Provides decision support to government program managers and system leads on topics in areas of responsibility
• Supports program managers and lead systems engineers on a program in technical management of projects through tracking, risks, requirements, interfaces, configurations, and related tasks
• Designs and coordinates complex systems that involve interdisciplinary engineering
• Creates and maintains programmatic and technical documentation to ensure efficient planning and execution

Required Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active, or previously held, U.S. Government security clearance
• Bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering or a related technical field and 10+ years of space systems engineering experience preferably with deep knowledge in one or more space or ground subsystems
• Systems engineering experience with familiarity with space systems, ground systems, and space mission operations within government and commercial programs
• Ability to interpret customer-driven requirements to determine areas of risk from a technical, cost, and schedule perspective
• Ability to respond resourcefully to new demands and challenges in a dynamic environment
• Proficiency in managing and prioritizing requirements development and verification, risks, interfaces, configurations, and trade studies
• Ability to work effectively both individually and within a team environment
• Strong attention to detail while still having a system-level perspective
• Ability to anticipate ground-space system integration and test risks and develop contingency plans to manage them
• Ability to relate well with outside customers and maintain good relationships under challenging circumstances
• Moderate travel to support SDA (approximately 6-9 weeks a year)

Salary Range

• $ 129,000 - $210,000
  • Salary commensurate on education and relevant experience

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

Why Join SDL?

SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.

SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact [e-mail].