Ground Systems Integration Engineer

Ground Systems Integration Engineer (GSIE): Seeking an experienced systems engineer (SETA) with a strong background managing acceptance testing and integration efforts of consolidated software and specialized hardware for diverse locations. Key focus areas include full life cycle system support, from procurement to Operations & Maintenance (O&M), including internal and external interfaces, requirements analysis, requirements tracking, system design and development through system test, delivery, installation, and sell-off.

This candidate will support a government program office in charge of ground element command and control (C2) activities within a space program office. The ground segment consists of ground command and control (C2) software, customized hardware, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE) and network integration. The architecture includes bare metal and virtual environments.  The candidate will provide System Engineering, Integration & Test (SEIT) subject matter expertise and acquisition support to ensure sustainment program executes on schedule and within cost. Activities include testing oversight analysis, requirements verification, support to contract actions, and Program Office coordination support. 

GSIE tasks include:

• Support software procurement from requirements identification and development through system test, sell-off, delivery and installation at multiple sites.
• Support design and development of computer architectures from both a hardware and software perspective in order to provide analysis and recommendations for ground C2.
• Support evaluation of hardware obsolescence and options for maintenance or replacement
• Provide formal and informal feedback on program status, recommendations for the best way forward, participation in test procedure reviews and witnessing.
• Review and assess the adequacy of ground system specifications, RADs, RVPs, ICDs, RVRs and system level requirements documentation.
• Review, analyze and coordinate any changes to ground system specifications.
• Participate in defining, managing, testing, verifying, and validating collection segment internal and external interfaces.
• Coordinate with SED, GED, MOD and non-NRO SPO ground elements as required. Provide advice on the design and deployment of scalable infrastructure platforms.
• Attend system level design reviews, and program management reviews to assess ground system design maturity, requirements compliance and to provide informed technical recommendations to the customer.
• Participate in and witness ground systems testing to verify internal and external interfaces; review and correlate post-test data to ensure ground systems requirements are met. Maintain knowledge of current industry command and control system hardware and software design, manufacturing and test specifications and standards and apply that knowledge during reviews of developer documentation and processes.
• Use analytical skills and tools to analyze design modifications and assess ground systems interface implications against performance requirements.
• Review acquisition milestone ground systems design documentation for adequacy, accuracy and completeness, and identify cost, schedule and technical risks/opportunities, and provide mitigation strategies through formal and informal comments. Assess adequacy of developer verification data and provide recommendations to the GPOC for approval or disapproval with clear commentary demonstrating the logic for the recommendations.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts and functional counterparts.
• Understand risk management processes and methods for adjudicating program risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate across geographic diverse sites for delivery and acceptance testing; requires travel to these sites as well as to developer sites.
• Provide coordination with facilities’ teams during site surveys, installation, and for long-term facilities maintenance of IT equipment and specialized hardware.
• Support request for change (RFC) processes.
• Evaluate proposals and provide tech evals to customer recommending cost position and technical soundness.

Education:

• Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.

Required Education:

• STEM Bachelors and nine years or more experience; Masters and five years or more experience.

Required Experience:

• Prior experience for acquisition activities related to requirements development and assessment, technical evaluations of proposals, and ECP development.
• Managing combined hardware and software integration activities.
• Systems integration from factory testing to site implementation.
• Space-ground systems architectures and life cycle support.
• Organizing meetings, project coordination, and writing and reviewing technical reports is expected.
• Possess high organizational capabilities and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to travel overseas.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience with hardware development, verification, validation, and O&M for large systems.
• Experience in coordinating government construction activities including Requests for Change (RFC’s), site survey, and stakeholder coordination.
• Experience in NRO, IC, or DoD program management processes.

Clearance:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with an active TS/SCI Security Clearance with a Poly.