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Lead Engineer

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Hybrid

Lead Engineer

US Space Systems Command

Lead Engineer

Skills

Talent Management

22 days ago

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Important information


Contract type:

Permanent

Salary:

$91,870 – $142,022 / year

Location:

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

Work mode:

Hybrid

Published on:

30 September 2026

What they need


Summary

To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here.

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) Mission Delta 8 (MD8) 8th 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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Requirements

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.

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.

Benefits

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.

Review our 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.

Required Documents

**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:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

Do not email applications. 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.

Agency contact information

US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management

Email

[email protected]

Address

USSF - Space Systems Command
1670 Space Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330
US

Next steps

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Overview

Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Colorado Springs, CO

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Remote job

No

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

$91,870 - $142,022 per year

Pay scale & grade

NH 3

Promotion potential

None

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

  • 0855 Electronics Engineering

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Competitive Service

Represented by a union

No

Drug test

Yes

Security clearance

Top Secret

Position sensitivity and risk

Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type

  • National security

Financial disclosure required

Yes

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

SF-F26-6S-NH0855-03-SPLASH1

Control number

886803700

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