Mission Payload Specialist/EO Engineer

Stellar Solutions is searching for a skiled Mission Payload Specialist / Electro-Optical Engineer professional to support development of first-of-kind space missions for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office.  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.  The candidate will apply advanced principles, theories, and concepts for highly classified systems, while also effectively communicating complex results with management and executive leadership.

In this position, you will provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space RCO at Kirtland AFB, NM.  The Space RCO is one of three US Space Force acquisition organization and is the one specializing in delivering first-of systems to fill quick-turn needs to deliver operational capability to the USSF.  For each project, they set up small, agile, and empowered teams to include program manager, technical specialists, contracting, finance, security, and the use right acquisition strategies to set the effort up for success.  You will work in one of these small, highly empowered teams where every team member is directly responsible for the success of the program.

In this position, you will provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space RCO at Kirtland AFB, NM.  The Space RCO is one of three US Space Force acquisition organization and is the one specializing in delivering first-of systems to fill quick-turn needs to deliver operational capability to the USSF.  For each project, they set up small, agile, and empowered teams to include program manager, technical specialists, contracting, finance, security, and the use right acquisition strategies to set the effort up for success.  You will work in one of these small, highly empowered teams where every team member is directly responsible for the success of the program.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Supports design, interpretation, and analysis of technical solutions for complex optical payloads.
• Leads or supports technical programs, projects, or tasks whose technical complexity requires engineering oversight.
• Ensures completion of tasks within estimated time frames and budget constraints
• Provides input to the government customer concerning risks to performance, schedule, and budget due to either proposed contractor plans or contractor's execution of accepted plans.
• Ensure the quality of the program, project, or task deliverables meet or exceed standards or metrics and assesses such deliverables to ensure that the final deliverables will meet the warfighting purpose for which they are intended.
• Plans and performs engineering research, design development, and other engineering assignments in conformance with the design, engineering, and customer specifications.
• Responsible for the overall technical/engineering portions of major projects or programs.
• Coordinates with multiple partners/agencies to ensure system engineering communities support delivery milestones.
• Tracks and advises design trades and associated cost, schedule, and technical impacts to requirements.
• Initiates, supervises, and/or develops requirements from a project’s inception to conclusion for complex to extremely complex programs.
• Provides strategic advice, technical guidance and expertise to program and project staff.
• Provides detailed analysis, evaluation and recommendations for improvements, optimization development and/or maintenance efforts for client specific or mission critical challenges/issues.
• Leads studies and analysis of data to provide advice and recommend solutions.
• Communicate clearly, concisely, and with technical accuracy—oral and written.
• Other duties as required.

Required skills:

• Minimum ten (10) years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience.
• Expert knowledge in development and fielding EO payloads and systems.
• Experience with advanced spacecraft EO payloads
• Understanding of space operational environment and corresponding mission user needs.
• Knowledge of space mission engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• Experience in DoD program management including program development and transition.
• Experience with Integrated Master Schedules, and risk management

Desired skills:

• Fifteen (15) years of relevant DoD and/or Industry work experience.
• System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to Government program office.
• Experience with rapid prototyping and transition to operations.
• Experience developing, deploying, and maintaining ground mission planning systems.
• Experience with ACAT I/II level acquisition programs.
• Experience in planning and executing test campaigns for space systems.

Education

• 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 two (2) years total SAP and/or SCI environment experience and 1-year total within last 5 years.
• Candidate must maintain a TS/SCI clearance as a condition of employment and willingness to submit to a Counter-Intelligence polygraph

Location

• This position is full-time, on site at Kirtland AFB, NM and will require travel up to 30% of time within the continental United States
  
  
  

The typical pay range for this position is USD $135,000 - $188,000 per year, total package. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits (all included as part of package).