Utah State University

Target Custody Systems Engineer

Utah State University$120K — $210K *
Aerospace & Defense
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active or previously held U.S. Government security clearance required
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or a related field with 10+ years of experience in space systems engineering
  • Familiarity with both space systems and ground systems, particularly within government and commercial contexts
  • Strong capability to interpret customer requirements and identify technical, cost, and schedule risks
  • Experience in managing requirements development, verification, and engineering trade studies
  • Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively within teams
  • Excellent attention to detail and a system-level perspective, especially regarding integration and testing risks

Responsibilities

  • Provide expertise on defense mission space and ground systems integration
  • Assess system architecture and implementation for interoperability and performance
  • Draft and develop engineering and programmatic documents such as test plans and ConOps
  • Lead working groups on various ground and space system interfaces and verification processes
  • Facilitate communication between technical teams and program offices
  • Oversee the planning and execution of system validation and verification testing
  • Design and coordinate complex interdisciplinary engineering systems

Benefits

  • Contribute to innovations crucial for national security
  • Opportunity to work with a leading Strategic & Military Space Division
  • Engagement with advanced satellite and sensor systems
  • Potential for career growth within a mission-focused organization
  • Work in a dynamic environment with varied technical challenges
  • Support for program managers in enhancing defense capabilities
Full Job Description
Job ID: 8497A
Date Posted: July 14, 2026

Join the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) team, where you'll contribute to groundbreaking innovations! We are seeking applicants for a mid-level Systems Engineerto help manage software development projects that support the Space Development Agency's PWSA with our Strategic & Military Space Division.

The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation's defense capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Provides subject matter expertise related to defense mission space and ground systems integration
    • This includes space-ground and ground-ground interface requirements, design, integration, testing, and operations
  • Assess system architecture, designs, implementation, and operations with focus on interoperability, verifiability, and end to end performance
  • Drafts, develops, and/or provides input to ICDs, SOWs, test plans and procedures, ConOps, architecture and systems descriptions, schedules, and various other engineering and programmatic documents
  • Leads or has a key role in interface and IV&V related working groups focused on space-to-ground, ground network, cloud services, and other intra- and inter-ground segment products
  • Maintains strong communication on technical topics between working groups, integrated product teams, space system providers, ground system providers, and government program offices
  • Leads government assessment of the ground system contractor's integrated system validation and verification (end to end) test planning and execution
  • Monitors systems testing and interface/end-end testing with the space vehicle vendors and mission partners
  • Provides technical assessment of success of such testing and recommendations on acceptance of test results and disposition of deviations.
  • Provides decision support to government program managers and system leads on topics in areas of responsibility
  • Supports program managers and lead systems engineers on a program in technical management of projects through tracking, risks, requirements, interfaces, configurations, and related tasks
  • Designs and coordinates complex systems that involve interdisciplinary engineering
  • Creates and maintains programmatic and technical documentation to ensure efficient planning and execution

Required Qualifications:
  • Must be a U.S. citizen with an active, or previously held, U.S. Government security clearance
  • Bachelor's or higher degree in engineering or a related technical field and 10+ years of space systems engineering experience preferably with deep knowledge in one or more space or ground subsystems
  • Systems engineering experience with familiarity with space systems, ground systems, and space mission operations within government and commercial programs
  • Ability to interpret customer-driven requirements to determine areas of risk from a technical, cost, and schedule perspective
  • Ability to respond resourcefully to new demands and challenges in a dynamic environment
  • Proficiency in managing and prioritizing requirements development and verification, risks, interfaces, configurations, and trade studies
  • Ability to work effectively both individually and within a team environment
  • Strong attention to detail while still having a system-level perspective
  • Ability to anticipate ground-space system integration and test risks and develop contingency plans to manage them
  • Ability to relate well with outside customers and maintain good relationships under challenging circumstances
  • Moderate travel to support SDA (approximately 6-9 weeks a year)


*Salary Range
  • $ 120,000 - $210,000
    • Salary commensurate on education and relevant experience


This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate's preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact [redacted].

About Utah State University

Utah State University (USU) is a public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah State University System. USU offers programs in agriculture, engineering, business, economics, natural resources, and other fields. The university has about 17,000 students and 1,500 faculty members. USU is known for its research in agriculture, ecology, and engineering. The university has a large campus with many research facilities and a strong athletic program.
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