Lead Ground Systems Engineer

Salary Range: 180000 to 220000 (Currency: USD) (Pay period: per-year-salary)

SSI is seeking a Lead Ground Systems Engineer to serve as a key Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) advisor to a critical Government Customer in Chantilly, VA.

In this role, you will represent the customer’s technical interests by overseeing a Prime Contractor developing a bespoke satellite ground solution. This program focuses strictly on Vehicle Command & Control (C2), Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), Health & Safety, and Mission Management. Operating on an aggressive operational deployment timeline, you will evaluate system-level architectures, oversee contractor design milestones, and ensure seamless integration into the customer's broader Enterprise framework.

Role and Responsibilities include:

• Act as the government customer's trusted technical advisor to evaluate ground system designs, identify risks, and recommend technical acceptance throughout the development lifecycle.
• Review Prime Contractor architectural deliveries, system interfaces, and write/evaluate Interface Control Documents (ICDs) to ensure compatibility with larger Enterprise systems.
• Lead system-level evaluations during early-to-mid program milestones, including Preliminary Design Reviews (PDR) and Critical Design Reviews (CDR).
• Perform deep-dive evaluations into ground concepts and module interactions. (Note: This is a system architecture and oversight role; hands-on code development or line-by-line code audits are not required).
• Oversee contractor testing execution and V&V activities to verify that ground system performance satisfies mission requirements prior to operational fielding.
• Drive rapid technical resolution and balance program trade-offs to keep the program on track for accelerated fielding.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in Space Ground Systems Engineering, Ground Segment Architecture, or SETA/Advisory support.
• Strong background in Satellite Command & Control (C2), Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C), Spacecraft Health & Status, or Mission Management.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating contractor performance through PDR, CDR, ICD development, and V&V/testing phases.
• Understanding of high-level system-of-systems integration and network interfaces.
• Familiarity with modern enterprise cloud architecture paradigms (AWS/Cloud frameworks, microservices, containerized deployments like Kubernetes) to effectively evaluate ground system designs.
• TS/SCI CI Poly

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working on rapid acquisition programs or fast-paced operational deployments.
Prior experience as a SETA / FFRDC advisor representing government program offices against Prime Contractors.
Familiarity with AWS C2S or secure government cloud environments.