Space Systems Engineer

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is a fast-growing engineering company that provides aerospace solutions to a variety of government and commercial customers. Our employees are forward-thinking, self-directed individuals who are committed to solving our customers’ technical challenges.

SSI is seeking a Space Systems Engineer for a role in Colorado Springs, CO.

In this role, you will embed full-time with the Government’s ground enterprise development team, helping shape and deliver the next generation of SDA TCPED (Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, Dissemination) capabilities.

You will serve as a technical integrator and strategic advocate for space-based sensor integration, working directly with the customer responsible for Mission Management, Command and Control (M2C2), and sensor orchestration suite on the front end, as well as the data fusion and exploitation environment on the back end. You will join and actively participate in Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and staff meetings to ensure space-based S&R capabilities are represented in rapidly evolving ground architecture.

Role and Responsibilities:

• Advocate for space-based S&R capabilities within the evolving ground TCPED enterprise, ensuring space sensor data is effectively tasked, collected, processed, exploited, and disseminated alongside ground-based sensors
• Serve as the primary systems integration liaison for advanced space-based and ground-based SDA platforms, with a focus on seamless mission thread integration
• Embed with the development team and participate in program IPTs and staff meetings to influence architecture, design, and implementation decisions for the M2C2 mission management system and sensor orchestration suite
• Provide technical oversight of system development efforts (design, development, manufacturing, integration/test, production, sustainment) across both traditional and agile/prototype acquisition approaches
• Define and evolve operational concepts (CONOPS), requirements, system interfaces, and verification approaches that enable space-ground data fusion and sensor orchestration
• Guide end-to-end mission thread integration, from space sensor tasking through ground TCPED to actionable information for defensive and offensive space control
• Participate in design reviews, technical interchange meetings, and test planning to ensure integrated capabilities meet warfighter space superiority objectives
• Lead risk management activities—identifying, analyzing, and mitigating technical and programmatic risks associated with SDA sensor integration
• Coordinate across USSF, SSC, SpOC, NSDC, and USSPACECOM government agencies, commercial partners, and allied nations to establish cross-domain sensor tasking and data-sharing architectures
  
  
  
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 14 years of applicable experience
• Experience with the following:
• System-of-systems architecture and complex interface integration
• TCPED workflows for SDA or Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions
• Workflows for Space Control missions
• Hardware/software integration and ground segment development
• Cloud-based ground architectures and modern C2 concepts (e.g., Ground Segment as a Service)
• Deep understanding of Space Domain Awareness, Space Control, and Counterspace operations
• Proven expertise in space-based SDA / S&R sensor architectures, mission integration, and payload-to-ground data paths
• Must have an in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI), adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrolled in the Continuous Evaluation program (if applicable)
• Must be willing to be nominated for access to Sensitive Compartment Information and Special Access Programs and willing to consent to a Polygraph examination
  
  
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace, or related technical field
• Experience in operational space units (e.g., Delta 9, NSDC, JTF-SD, CSpOC)
• Ability to translate warfighting requirements and CONOPS into system capabilities and acquisition priorities
• Experience supporting USSF/SSC space control or SDA programs, including sensor orchestration and TCPED modernization
• Prior work in U.S. Government weapons system or space mission program offices
• Professional certifications (e.g., INCOSE CSEP, PE, Agile PM/PO, ITEA CTEP)
  
  
  
  
  

SSI has a target salary range: $160,000 - $200,000. The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position based on experience and other factors.

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Space Systems Integration provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.