Senior Defense Technologist – Space

MTSI is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist specializing in the space domain, you will help the Department understand how next-generation space systems and architectures enhance joint operations, deterrence, global awareness, and resilience. You will provide deep technical insight, strategic awareness, and cross-domain understanding to ensure emerging capabilities align with future operational needs and can be integrated into mission-level constructions. This position is located in the National Capital Region (NCR).

You’ll be a great fit for this role if:

• You’re Mission-Driven: You are motivated by strengthening space capabilities that underpin U.S. national security.
• You Think Across Domains: You understand how space systems integrate with air, land, maritime, and cyber systems to support joint warfighting needs.
• You Work Well in Ambiguity: You can identify technology pathways and operational implications even when requirements are evolving.
• You Communicate with Influence: You can translate complex technical insights into clear, operationally meaningful outcomes and brief senior leaders confidently.
• You Lead with Collaboration: You work seamlessly with engineering, analysts, operators, and senior government officials.
  
  

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will provide advanced technical expertise, operational insights, and strategic awareness of space systems and architectures.
• Your essential job functions will include but may not be limited to:
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on space systems, architectures, and mission areas.
• Provide technical and operational assessments of space capabilities and their integration into joint and coalition operations.
• Advise on the role of current and emerging space technologies and how they contribute to mission outcomes.
• Support mission engineering, future-force design, and integrated architecture development for space and multi-domain operations.
• Evaluate technology feasibility, performance, readiness, applicability, and operational relevance.
• Collaborate with analysts conducting modeling, simulation, and campaign-level assessments to ensure space contributions are adequately represented.
• Identify and communicate space capability gaps, opportunities, risks, and technology transition pathways.
• Engage with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Services, and OSW stakeholders to support investment prioritization.
• Contribute to the development of concepts of operations, requirements, and mission threads for future space missions.
• Develop and deliver high-quality briefings, technical documents, and senior-level recommendations.
• Ensure adherence to classification, disclosure, and security protocols across all activities.
  
  

Qualifications Required

• 15 years of experience in roles involving:
• Development, assessment, or integration of advanced space systems, architectures, or mission capabilities.
• Research, planning, and execution of technical projects relevant to space missions.
• Applying innovating engineering, analytical, or scientific methodologies to space-related operational problems.
• Supporting DoW stakeholders (e.g., Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, or OSW) on capability development and technical decision-making.
• Evaluating space technologies for operational utility, effectiveness, and transition potential.
  
  

Education

• Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Preferred: Doctoral/Terminal degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  
  

Even Better If You Have These Desired Skills

• Experience transitioning advanced space technologies from R&D into operational use.
• Background supporting joint, service, or Combatant Command space planning or analysis.
• Understanding of space domain mission areas, architectures, and supporting ground and cross-domain systems.
• Ability to lead complex technical discussions across diverse teams, including engineers, analysts, and senior government officials.
• Experience contributing to mission engineering or architecture development processes.
• Joint/Combatant Command staff experience (highly preferred).
  
  

Clearance Requirements

An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (with SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required.