Lead Engineer

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Mission Delta 8 (MD8) 8^th Sustainment Squadron (8STS) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado is searching for a Lead Engineer (NH-0855-03, GS 12/13 equivalent).

Description:
Serving as the principal technical authority and engineering decision maker for the U.S. Space Force's MILSATCOM 8th Sustainment Squadron, you will direct the technical execution, operational architecture, and configuration baseline management for multi-billion dollar satellite communications networks-including AEHF, Milstar, EPS, WGS, GBS, DSCS, and CCS-C. Operating with significant autonomy, you will lead the integration of advanced software, hardware, and cybersecurity solutions while enforcing rigorous engineering standards to govern long-term systems architecture and guarantee continuous Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E). In this critical role, you will collaborate daily with multidisciplinary teams, defense agencies, and international partners to drive lifecycle sustainment, steer Satellite Anomaly Response Teams during critical operations, and deliver resilient capabilities that defend the joint warfighter's high-frontier operations. Furthermore, you will partner closely with the Chief Engineer and Program Managers to resolve system deficiencies, lead technical evaluations for high-impact acquisition proposals, and apply advanced electronics engineering principles to mentor junior personnel from concept through mission execution.

The ideal candidate is a proven engineering leader with a distinguished track record of directing complex, high-value satellite, ground terminal, or command and control (C2) systems throughout their operational lifecycle, particularly within "no-fail" military or commercial space environments. This role requires an analytical problem solver with advanced diagnostic and risk-management skills to resolve complex hardware and software anomalies, backed by a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution and a preferred Defense Acquisition Workforce Foundational (or higher) Certification in Engineering and Technical Management. To succeed in this Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) and DAWIA-covered position, the candidate must possess exceptional communication skills to align cross-functional teams, federal stakeholders, Department of War agencies, and international partners. Additionally, the selected professional must be a U.S. citizen capable of working flexible hours, passing pre-employment and random drug screenings, filing annual OGE-450 Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports, and holding or rapidly obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearance.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of professional electronics engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services.
2. Knowledge of development testing and evaluation sufficient to apply experimental theories and new applications to issues and provide technical advice and direction in support of weapon systems, subsystems, and/or support equipment.
3. Knowledge of integrated air-vehicles, ground systems, and support equipment sufficient to plan, design, test, troubleshoot, evaluate, and oversee the development and/or sustainment of electronic systems or devices.
4. Knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to sustainment, modification, logistics, and production management principles, concepts, policies, and systems; standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of other engineering disciplines.
5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches, and to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes.
6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, clearly, concisely, with technical accuracy and to use computers and a variety of software programs and databases, gather and analyze a variety of program information, make sound judgments concerning program progress, and effectively communicate recommendations orally and in writing to higher organizational management and contractors.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Employee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance with SCI access.
• This position has been designated for drug testing. Incumbent is subject to random urinalysis testing as a condition of employment.
• Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Employee may work extended/other than normal duty hours (evenings/weekends/recall). Incumbent may be required to report to work during base exercises/contingencies/emergency situations and overtime/comp time/credit hours may be required.
• A professional engineering degree at the bachelor’s level from an ABET accredited institution is required.
• Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and by 31 October annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, “Confidential Disclosure Report.
• This position is designated a non-critical APDP position.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed “Unscheduled Telework”.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 20 days per year.
• Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
• Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• PCS is not authorized. Incentive is not authorized.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.

Qualifications

The 0855 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.

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.

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:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. 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
4. 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.

Next steps