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SDA Futures Programs Lead Engineer

Apply Job ID 2024-8869 Date posted 03/21/2024

Own Your Future.

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to fill a SETA (Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance) position with the Space Development Agency (SDA).  SDA is breaking the norms of the DoD acquisition cycle, delivering a new tranche of hundreds of satellites every two years. SDA is a fast-paced organization and is changing the way that the Department of Defense acquires space systems through the concept of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). In addition to the large constellation delivered in tranches, the agency is experimenting with vehicles, payloads, acquisition constructs, ground system architectures, and advanced technologies through the PWSA Futures portfolio of projects. The Futures Program Lead Engineer will support the Government Futures Program Director as the primary, trusted source of technical advice on systems engineering, design recommendations, source selection, milestone reviews, and program planning for all projects within the SDA Futures portfolio. This position will be part of a team of MTSI personnel providing SETA support to SDA in Chantilly, VA. Although limited time in remote work or work from home arrangements are possible, the position will primarily be on-site at SDA.

Why is MTSI known as a Great Place to Work?

  • Interesting Work:  Our co-workers support some of the most important and critical programs to our national defense and security.  
  • Values: Our first core value is that employees come first.  We challenge our co-workers to provide the highest level of support and service, and reward them with some of the best benefits in the industry. 
  • 100% Employee Ownership: we have a stake in each other's success, and the success of our customers.  It's also nice to know what's going on across the company; we have company wide town-hall meetings three times a year.  
  • Great Benefits - Most Full-Time Staff Are Eligible for: 
    • Starting PTO accrual of 20 days PTO/year + 10 holidays/year
    • Flexible schedules
    • 6% 401k match with immediate vesting
    • Semi-annual bonus eligibility (July and December)
    • Company funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - a separate qualified retirement account
    • Up to $10,000 in annual tuition reimbursement
    • Other company funded benefits, like life and disability insurance
    • Optional zero deductible Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance plan
  • Track Record of Success:  We have grown every year since our founding in 1993

Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) is a 100% employee-owned engineering services and solutions company that provides high-demand technical expertise in Digital Transformation, Modeling and Simulation, Rapid Capability Development, Test and Evaluation, Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, Cybersecurity and Mission Assurance.

MTSI delivers capabilities to solve problems of global importance. Founded in 1993, MTSI today has employees at over 20 offices and field sites worldwide.

For more information about MTSI, please visit www.mtsi-va.com.

Responsibilities:

As the SDA Futures Program Lead Engineer with MTSI, you will apply knowledge and expertise to perform technical engineering support and analysis of spacecraft, payloads, and ground systems. This position will be located in Chantilly, VA and occasional travel may be required. Applicant will provide systems engineering leadership to the SDA Futures portfolio as a SETA for SDA. The applicant will provide the primary technical support to the Government Program Director of the SDA Futures portfolio, responsible for implementing the SDA Director’s and Futures Program Director’s priorities in space vehicle, payload, and ground system acquisitions. The applicant will envision, prioritize, evaluate, and assess the technical and programmatic progress of each project to ensure alignment of schedule, cost, risk, and performance with SDA limitations and goals.

Your essential job functions will include but may not be limited to:

  • Overseeing the design and integration of multiple space vehicles and payloads, including optical intersatellite links, tactical data links, sensors, and dynamic networks
  • Overseeing the design and integration of ground control systems, including operations centers, data stores, antennas, space vehicle interfaces, and network interfaces
  • Assessing proposed space vehicle payloads for suitability in the PWSA CONOPS, including sensors, communications payloads, on-board processing algorithms, and multi-domain solutions
  • Developing and implementing processes to manage risks across the PWSA Futures portfolio
  • Developing and implementing processes to assess and approve proposed baseline changes in PWSA Futures projects
  • Assessing and reporting to SDA leadership programmatic status, technical progress, and acquisition/technical risks across the PWSA Futures portfolio
  • Portfolio technical assessment, management, and roadmapping
  • Providing technical leadership to proposal solicitation writing and source selection teams
  • Assisting the Government in analyzing contractor concept designs at the system and subsystem levels
  • Recommending and coordinating development with related activities of other DoD and non-DoD agencies

Qualifications:

  • 10+ years of experience in satellite systems engineering
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
  • Strong oral and written communication skills

Preferred/Desired Experience:

  • 5+ years’ experience in the DoD or Intelligence Community
  • Experience working with commercial and/or Government satellite systems
  • Experience working in a SETA role
  • Experience working on classified DoD or Intelligence systems
  • Experience working on Special Access Programs
  • Experience as a lead or chief engineer of a satellite, payload, or ground system
  • Hands-on experience in the assembly, integration, and test of satellites and payloads
  • Detailed knowledge and experience in one of the following areas:
    • Optical communications links
    • IR sensor processing algorithms and sensor hardware
    • Mesh networking
    • Tactical data links including IBS or Link 16

Education Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineer, systems engineering, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited university (REQUIRED)
  • Master’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineer, systems engineering, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited university (DESIRED)

Certification Requirements:

  • None

Clearance Requirements:

  • Active Secret Clearance (Required)
  • Active Top Secret Clearance (Desired)
  • TS/SCI Eligibility (Required)
  • U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.

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