The United States Space Force (USSF) at Peterson SFB, CO is searching for a Lead Engineer, SSC/Det 5 (NH-0855-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).
Description:
Serve as a lead technical authority for the U.S. Space Force's most critical satellite communications networks. In this role, you will lead the engineering execution, operational architecture, and technical baseline management for multi-billion dollar systems, ensuring secure, global, and uninterrupted communications for the joint warfighter. The Lead Engineer position within the MILSATCOM 8th Sustainment Squadron is a critical role that focuses on directing and leading the technical activities for various SATCOM Systems. You will serve as the principal engineering expert and technical decision authority for critical constellations and ground systems, such as AEHF, Milstar, EPS, WGS, GBS, DSCS, and CCS-C. Operating with significant autonomy, you will manage complex system baselines and drive the integration of software, hardware, and cybersecurity solutions. You will collaborate daily with multidisciplinary teams-including software developers, test engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and operations personnel-to deliver resilient, next-generation capabilities that defend our nation's high-frontier operations. Key Responsibilities: Principal Technical Authority: Serve as the authoritative engineering baseline expert, directing technical modifications, system upgrades, and architectural changes for global MILSATCOM systems. Systems Architecture Governance: Implement and enforce rigorous engineering standards to govern the program's long-term architecture, baseline security, and hardware/software configurations. Operational Readiness & OSS&E: Lead system requirements validation and performance management to guarantee continuous Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E). Lifecycle & Sustainment Leadership: Direct engineering sustainment, system transition plans, change management processes, and test planning; provide expert technical oversight to Satellite Anomaly Response Teams during critical operations. Strategic Advisory Support: Partner closely with the Chief Engineer and Program Managers by delivering deep technical insights, conducting formal engineering assessments, and steering the successful resolution of system deficiencies. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead integration efforts with cross-functional teams, defense agencies, and international partners to ensure seamless data exchange and high-availability communication interfaces. Acquisition & Proposal Technical Lead: Support technical evaluations, independent cost estimations, and the development of high-impact Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to shape future system capabilities. Engineering Mentorship: Apply advanced electronics engineering concepts, standards, and best practices to mentor junior engineers and advise on complex project developments from inception through execution.
Ideal Candidate:
Proven Engineering Leadership: Experience acting as a lead or principal engineer, with a strong track record of coordinating complex, high-value satellite, ground terminal, or command and control (C2) systems. SATCOM lifecycle expertise: Knowledge of SATCOM systems operations, maintenance, and strategic lifecycle planning. No-Fail Systems Engineering: Demonstrated experience directing systems engineering processes and rapid solution deployment for mission-critical, "no-fail" military or commercial space systems. Joint & Coalition Interoperability: Exceptional communication and collaborative skills, with a history of successfully aligning cross-functional teams, federal stakeholders, Department of War (DoW) agencies, and international defense partners. Analytical Problem Solving: Strong analytical, diagnostic, and risk-management skills tailored to resolving complex hardware/software anomalies and optimizing system performance. Academic Foundation: Must hold a bachelor's degree in an engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution. Acquisition Professionalism: Acquisition experience is highly valued; holding a Defense Acquisition Workforce Foundational (or higher) Certification in Engineering and Technical Management is highly desired. Other Requirements (Not an all inclusive list): Must be a U.S. Citizen. This position has been designated as an acquisition position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) Must meet or be capable of meeting Defense Acquisition Work Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
PCS / Incentive funding is not authorized.
Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of temporary duty assignments.
May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.
This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
Position requires a professional engineering degree at the bachelor's level from an ABET accredited institution is required. Advanced degrees are preferred.
This position is designated as a Testing Designated Position (TDP) under the Air Force Civilian Drug Testing Program.
This is a cybersecurity position; the employee will attain appropriate DoD approved cybersecurity baseline certificate(s) applicable for cybersecurity functions required for the DoD position held.
Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
This position is part of the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
Qualifications
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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.
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.
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.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:
Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.
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.
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.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:
Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
Job title
Detailed duties and accomplishments
Employer's name and address
Supervisor's name and phone number
Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
Hours per week
Salary, if applicable
Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses
College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
