Ground Systems Engineer

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized “Great Place to Work”, has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.  

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers’ critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.

Stellar Solutions has an opportunity for a Ground System Engineer to provide System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) to the Space RCO at Kirtland AFB, NM. This opportunity will leverage your satellite operations experience to support the development and acquisition for a first-of-kind space ground segment, space vehicles, and space operations mission software

Additionally, the candidate will have an in-depth background of ground and flight software entry points, command, control, communication systems, and space operations.  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 organizations, 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:

• Serves as program advisory lead for extremely time critical technical projects, test projects, or tasks requiring appropriate level technical and project management expertise.
• Coordinates and facilitates with internal and external stakeholders to identify and verify program needs and develop solutions and timelines to meet project goals.
• Assists acquisition planning, market research, and drafting technical requirements and documents.
• Helps the government assess the technical sufficiency, cost, quality, and timely delivery of program deliverables.
• Confers with engineers to provide technical advice and to assist with problem resolution as needed.
• Supports management and execution of programs consisting of multiple projects--ensures overall program is properly coordinated and efficiently accomplished with the best available resources.
• Drafts, reviews, and edits final program reports, documents, and briefings.
• Supports acquisition planning and development of documents required for systems acquisition.
• Coordinates with external agencies to include operational units, higher headquarters, Combatant Command (COCOM) staffs, other acquisition activities, and research and development functions. This will include producing, tracking, coordinating all agreements and documentation necessary for SpRCO systems to transition seamlessly into a framework for organizing, training, and equipping the United States Space Force.
• Supports and advises acquisition and program management functions, advises government management on design challenges, delivery, and integration, and supports system program reviews.
• Works on high-visibility or mission critical aspects of a given program and performs all functional duties independently.
• 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.

Required skills:

• Minimum ten (10) years DoD/IC, or relevant industry work experience.
• Proven experience and/or qualifications in development and fielding satellite systems.
• Expert knowledge in development and fielding satellite ground control systems to include mission unique software.
• Understanding of the space operational environment and corresponding mission user needs.
• Experience in DoD program management including program development, integration, and transition.
• Experience with developing Statements of Work, Performance Work Statements, and Integrated Master Schedules.

Desired skills:

• Fifteen (15) years of relevant DoD and/or Industry work experience.
• Experience in Agile Software Development, Security and Operations (DevSecOps) principles.
• Experience in system engineering, development, testing, and manufacturing requirements.
• Understanding of the development, deployment, and maintenance of satellite ground control systems architecture and software.
• System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA) experience in a Government program office.
• Possess an applicable certification in systems engineering (CSEP/ESEP, etc.)

Education

• An applicable engineering degree from a program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
• Relevant 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 Kirkland AFB and will require travel up to 25% of time within the continental United States

The typical pay range for this position is USD $165,000 - $225,000 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).

Be at the forefront of space innovation with Stellar Solutions! Join our elite team to lead the assembly, integration, and testing of groundbreaking satellite missions, delivering cutting-edge capabilities for the U.S. Space Force.