Responsibilities

The Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) program is an exciting and cutting-edge initiative led by the U.S. Space Force, offering a unique opportunity to work on the forefront of space operations and technology. HADES focuses on the development, integration, and sustainment of prototype and operational satellite ground systems, satellite operations centers (SOCs), and critical support services. This program plays a vital role in supporting the Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) Ground System Enterprise (GSE) and is headquartered at the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

 

As the Lead Systems Engineer, you’ll serve as the technical lead responsible for engineering direction, system architecture, and technical baseline ownership across program activities. You will lead systems engineering efforts supporting design, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of satellite ground systems and associated infrastructure. This is a high-tempo, mission-critical environment where your work will directly influence technical execution and mission success.

This is more than just a job—it’s a chance to be part of a team that is shaping the future of space operations. If you’re ready to take on challenging, meaningful work in a secure and scalable environment, we want to hear from you. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space technology and operations!

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead supporting the Program Manager and Government leadership, responsible for system architecture, engineering direction, and technical baseline execution.
• Establish and oversee execution of systems engineering processes to maintain baseline integrity across program activities.
• Lead systems engineering activities including requirements development, CONOPS/CONEMP refinement, system architecture, interface control, verification and validation planning, and technical milestone execution.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), including configuration management, risk management, change control, and technical reviews.
• Provide technical leadership for ground system design, development, integration, testing, deployment, sustainment, and decommission or transfer activities.
• Oversee engineering support to satellite operations centers (SOCs), including command and control, mission software integration, payload support, and testing.
• Identify system-level risks, technical issues, and dependencies; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support cybersecurity and accreditation activities, ensuring engineering changes align with security and compliance requirements.
• Ensure external system interfaces are defined, documented, and verified across mission partners, space vehicles, software systems, and cloud environments.
• Lead engineering change activities and technical review boards, including coordination with Government stakeholders.
• Support facility and network engineering requirements, including infrastructure needs tied to ground system operations.
• Provide technical oversight for sustainment activities including lifecycle tracking, hardware planning, maintenance inputs, and data protection strategies.
• Ensure engineering artifacts, documentation, and baselines remain current and compliant with configuration management requirements.
• Coordinate with Government stakeholders, contractors, and mission partners to support integrated technical execution.
• Represent the program at technical reviews, readiness events, and working groups, providing technical guidance and recommendations.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance across multidisciplinary engineering teams including systems, software, cybersecurity, facilities, and logistics.

***This position is contingent upon award of contract***

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• This position requires the candidate possess a minimum of Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. The candidate must maintain the clearance.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant STEM or Management field with 12+ years of experience, supporting space, ground systems, command and control, or mission operations environments or Master's degree and 10+ years experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading system architecture and CONOPS development.
• Experience with requirements management, integration and test (I&T), verification and validation (V&V), and cybersecurity-driven engineering.
• Experience leading multi-contractor technical integration environments.
• Strong understanding of satellite ground systems, SOC operations, mission software, RMF/ATO processes, and configuration management.
• Strong communication, collaboration, documentation, and technical leadership skills.
• Ability to operate in secure, high-tempo, multi-disciplinary environments.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related technical field.
• INCOSE CSEP/ASEP or equivalent systems engineering certification.
• Experience supporting space-ground system programs within Space Systems Command or similar organizations.
• Experience with cloud architectures, digital engineering, modeling and simulation, or DevSecOps pipelines.
• Experience with Atlassian tools.
• Familiarity with facility engineering requirements supporting secure ground system operations.
• Experience with obsolescence management and logistics sustainment planning.

Target Salary Range$135,000 - $216,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual’s experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.