Hiring: Chief Engineer, Space Systems Company: SES Space & Defense Location: Reston, VA Job Posted Time: 2026-09-16 13:44:03 Target Skills & Keywords : Aerospace Engineering, Program Management, Risk Management, Security Clearance, Segment, Systems Engineering About the job Experience: •Twelve or more years of progressively responsible experience designing, developing, integrating, or delivering spacecraft, payloads, satellite systems, or other complex aerospace systems •Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role •Strong background in spacecraft architecture, payload systems, hosted payloads, satellite subsystems, or mission systems engineering •Extensive knowledge of systems engineering processes including requirements development, architecture definition, interface management, verification and validation, and technical risk management •Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with government customers, executive leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and mission partners Required Skills: •Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft and hosted payload solutions from concept development through on-orbit mission execution •Lead the technical execution of space system programs, ensuring achievement of technical, cost, schedule, and mission performance objectives •Direct a matrixed engineering organization spanning systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners •Define overall spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines •Lead development of systems engineering artifacts including requirements, CONOPS, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), trade studies, verification plans, and technical baselines •Ensure successful integration across spacecraft buses, communications payloads, onboard processing, avionics, propulsion, thermal, power, attitude determination and control, and other spacecraft subsystems •Lead technical planning and execution through major program milestones including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and early on-orbit operations •Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle Qualifications: •Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!