Chief Engineer, SYD 81

Space Systems Command

$120K — $145K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution; advanced degrees preferred.
  • 5-7 years of experience leading complex cloud-based data and software solutions.
  • Expertise in systems engineering, data management, and enterprise cloud adoption.
  • Deep understanding of the DoD mission structure and systems acquisition processes.
  • Strong communication skills to convey technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the establishment of systems engineering discipline for HR IT modernization efforts.
  • Drive the integration approach for secure, data-driven HR capabilities.
  • Manage complex data interfaces and system dependencies across teams.
  • Establish rigorous systems engineering processes to enhance decision-making and delivery outcomes.
  • Oversee testing programs ensuring systems meet operational requirements.
  • Guide agile teams in delivering technical requirements while maintaining engineering rigor.
  • Communicate effectively with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders to align on project goals.

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee including health and retirement plans.
  • Eligibility for situational telework and support for work-life balance.
  • Opportunities for professional development and advanced training.
  • Relocation assistance and PCS funding may be available for eligible candidates.
  • Supportive of disabled veteran leave for eligible employees.
Full Job Description
Help The United States Space Force (USSF) at the Pentagon, DC is searching for a Chief Engineer for SYD 81 (NH-0801-04, GS-14/15 Equivalent). Description: The U.S. Space Force is advancing a high-visibility transformation of its human resources information technology environment. We seek a mission-focused, technically credible NH-IV Chief Engineer to serve as the senior engineering leader for this effort-establishing the systems engineering discipline, technical governance, and integration approach needed to deliver secure, interoperable, data-driven HR capabilities. This is an opportunity to lead the delivery of first-of-its-kind HR capabilities for the nation's newest military service. Leveraging modern commercial software products and cloud-based data solutions, the program is helping modernize the HR experience for Guardians, civilian employees, commanders, and HR professionals while strengthening the Space Force's ability to operate as a data-driven force. Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a highly driven, mission-focused engineer with experience leading complex cloud-based data and software solutions from concept through implementation and operational sustainment. The successful candidate brings technical depth in cloud data management; data lake, data-service, and data-stack development and implementation; enterprise cloud adoption; operational software delivery; and data interface management. You are a systems thinker who understands that successful modernization is more than deploying software. It requires purposeful integration of people, processes, data, architecture, security, interfaces, and operational outcomes. You can turn mission and user needs into actionable technical requirements, viable architectures, release plans, and measurable performance objectives. The ideal candidate will demonstrate the ability to: - Review and assess cloud, data, and system architectures and identify practical opportunities to improve performance, integration, scalability, security, and sustainment. - Establish and lead rigorous systems engineering processes that improve technical decision-making, requirements traceability, risk management, testing, and delivery outcomes. - Manage complex data interfaces, system dependencies, integration risks, and technical tradeoffs across multiple teams and stakeholders. - Guide teams through agile delivery while preserving the engineering rigor needed for reliable, secure, and supportable enterprise capabilities. - Lead and manage testing programs that verify systems meet requirements and are ready for operational use. - Communicate complex technical concepts, strategies, risks, decisions, and work plans clearly to senior leaders, functional experts, acquisition partners, developers, cybersecurity personnel, and operational users. - Operate effectively across geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams and create alignment among stakeholders with competing priorities. - Apply sound engineering judgment, a bias for action, and a commitment to delivering technically achievable solutions that advance the Space Force mission. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 1. Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and to plan and execute specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and significance. 2. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment; and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds. 3. Knowledge of and skill in evaluating state-of-the-art and advancements in theory, application, technology, and policy affecting systems being developed, and in planning, organizing, and directing the functions and staff in critical aspects of development, production, and/or support of systems, subsystems, or equipment. 4. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures. 5. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with a variety of individuals and organizations as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing. 6. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization, and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff through subordinate supervisors as well as analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources. Requirements Help Conditions of employment - Must be a U.S Citizen. - Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret /SCI security clearance. - Safeguards classified or sensitive and/or classified information and/or files. - This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program. - Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework". - This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first. - May be required to perform travel by military or commercial passenger aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments. - PCS / relocation funding is authorized and may be made available. - Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): 15 days a year. - May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis. - Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred. - The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position. Qualifications The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions. Additional information Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. Expand Hide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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