Technical Support - Transport Systems Engineer (TS/SCI) - DODP2

Company: Avantus Federal
Location: Chantilly
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

Company Overview
Avantus Federal, recently acquired by QinetiQ US, is a mission-focused data, cyber and space services, and solutions company. As a mid-market powerhouse with an intentional blend of elite talent, infrastructure, and speed to impact, Avantus leads with technical and domain expertise for its Defense, Intelligence, Homeland Security and Federal Civilian customers.
Helping to solve some of the toughest national security problems and government missions, Avantus' offerings enable services at scale, including cyber technologies and operations, data and software solutions, digital engineering and integration, intelligence analysis and operations, transformation, and advisory services and more.
Position Overview
Join us in our fast-paced support to the Space Development Agency (SDA)! - Since SDA's standup just 3 years ago, it has become known as the Department of Defense's "constructive disruptor". - SDA is achieving space acquisitions at a pace never seen within the government. - The SDA has awarded 7 contracts over the last year to acquire approximately 150 satellites and its associated integration/ground system as part of Tranche 1. The satellites include a mix of communications (Transport Layer) and IR tracking (Tracking Layer) satellites. - The ground system includes two operations centers and several ground entry points across the US and abroad.

Now, the SDA is beginning to plan for Tranche 2. SDA will develop requirements for these new satellite acquisitions which will include similar capabilities as Tranche 1 and likely expand to consider additional capabilities.

SDA is building its technical team to execute Tranche 2.

We have an immediate opening for mid to senior level satellite systems engineer who has knowledge of both satellites and their interface to ground systems. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the entire satellite acquisition process through requirements development, source selection, design, test, launch, LEOPs and operations and shepherd the acquisition of these new Tranche 2 satellites.
Responsibilities
Individuals will support various engineering, scientific, analysis, policy, planning, and program management of Defense space activities. Specific tasks may include:

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• Provide technical advice/input to customer's System Program Director that lays the strategic foundation for critical, national capability and customer's future initiatives
  
• Understand and contribute to system designs and technical approaches to guide next generation systems to provide resilient space systems for space based optical communications systems
  
• Coordinate the development of satellite system requirements
  
• Develop enterprise, system, functional, performance, and interface requirements
  
• Consider the impact of the satellites' requirements to the ground system
  
• Coordinate and perform source selection activities
  
• Oversee and guide integrated space vehicle systems, including integration of mission payloads (Link 16, Ka Band communications, DVB-S2, optical communications, onboard data processors) with satellite busses
  
• Consider cybersecurity implications of the system design and relationships, including satellite to satellite networking
  
• Oversee integration and test of the satellite into the SDA's ground system network design and with the other satellite vendors to create the mesh network
  
• Assess necessary changes and updates to ground systems to enable overall architecture capabilities
  
• Coordinate the development of operational procedures for tactical data link payloads, including joining networks, maintaining connections, and mission planning
  
• Characterize the impact of space vehicle payload design and ground system decisions on mission effectiveness
  
• Coordinate with modeling and simulation teams to assess impacts to the architecture
  
• Review engineering documents and provide SME support, Participate in SRR, PDR, CDR type activities
  
• Identify capability gaps and devise Transport Layer actions to help address those gaps
  
• Support the SDA's Tranche 2 Program Management and Systems Engineering team
  
• Resolve highly complex and multi-dimensional problems requiring consideration of variables that impact multiple aspects of the project/program
  
• Incorporate Joint Warfighter, Mission Partners and internal SDA team's feedback and input on product strategy and identify the best path to improve efficiencies
  
• Support application product managers and coordinate cross-functional teams (i.e. Government, Military, SETA, FFRDC, UARC, & Industry)
  
  Required Qualifications
  
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  • Bachelor's degree in science, technology, engineering and math
    
  • Minimum of 8 years experience with satellite and ground systems
    
  • Strong Experience in requirements development and tracking
    
  • Technical and analytic understanding of satellite and ground system interaction
    
  • Understanding or experience in satellite and ground system acquisition processes
    
  • Experience in systems engineering
    
  • Experience in project management
    
  • Ability to work in fast paced environment with excellent oral and written communication skills.
    
    Preferred Qualifications
    
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    • Masters degree in science, technology, engineering and math
      
    • 12 years experience with satellite systems
      
    • Agile framework experience including use of Jira/Confluence
      
    • Experience DoD and or IC customers
      
    • Current experience with space systems
      
    • Active TS/SCI clearance
      
      Company EEO Statement
      Avantus Federal is an equal opportunity workplace and a Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) federal contractor. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or veteran status, as protected by applicable law. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by requesting an accommodations application. Avantus encourages members of historically underrepresented communities to apply and hires individuals solely based on their qualifications for the role. We strongly commit to embracing diversity and ensuring equal employment opportunities for all.

Keywords: Avantus Federal, Chantilly , Technical Support - Transport Systems Engineer (TS/SCI) - DODP2, IT / Software / Systems , Chantilly, Virginia