Systems Engineer, Orbital Space Traffic - TS/SCI

Senior Systems Engineer

The Office of Space Commerce (OSC) is leading implementation of Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3) by transitioning civil and commercial space traffic coordination (STC) responsibilities from the Department of Defense (DoD) to the Department of Commerce. Central to this effort is the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS), scheduled for production release this year, which will provide spaceflight safety services to global owner/operators. Location: Vandenberg Space Force Base, Santa Barbara, California Security Clearance: Active TS/SCI

The Senior Systems Engineer will act as a technical and operational bridge between OSC and DoD's space domain awareness (SDA) enterprise, particularly Space Delta 2, the 18th and 19th Space Defense Squadrons, and the S.P.A.C.E. Office at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This individual will help capture operational lessons from the DoD, integrate them into TraCSS design and operations, and support OSC's role as the U.S. civil authority for spaceflight safety. The role requires deep SDA/STC expertise, orbital analysis experience, and leadership in multi-agency technical environments, ensuring TraCSS exceeds the services previously provided by DoD's Space-Track.org by delivering more frequent, higher-fidelity, and on-demand conjunction assessments.

Primary Duties:

• Lead requirements definition, operational concept development, and transition planning for TraCSS.
• Support agile development, testing, and operational readiness of TraCSS in alignment with OSC's roadmap.
• Serve as OSC's embedded representative with Space Delta 2/S.P.A.C.E. Office.
• Translate operational best practices from DoD SDA into actionable requirements for TraCSS.
• Oversee transition of manual data transfer protocols to automated machine-to-machine (M2M) exchanges using NDPP and Databahn.
• Document and analyze the mission roles of 18SDS, 19SDS, and Space Delta 2, identifying functions essential for safe and sustainable operations.
• Ensure TraCSS requirements cover conjunction assessment, launch collision avoidance, re-entry prediction, and integration of commercial data.
• Contribute to orbital analysis, re-entry prediction, breakup event resolution, and recovery of lost objects, in collaboration with DoD and commercial partners.
• Support incorporation of commercial sensor networks and cloud-based data architectures into TraCSS operations.
• Provide technical mentorship to OSC and contractor staff, shaping an operational culture modeled on best practices from Space Force and industry.
• Develop checklists, SOPs, and training aids to accelerate workforce readiness for TraCSS operations.

Required Education/Experience/Skills:

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI.
• Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or a related field; minimum 12 years of relevant experience (with at least 7 in SDA/SSA/STC).
• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated hands-on experience in orbital analysis, space domain awareness, or space traffic coordination. Familiarity with systems such as SPADOC, ASW, ATLAS, SP Tasker, JMS, SGSN, CAVENet, or equivalent orbital data processing tools. Experience with launch tracking, maneuver detection, conjunction assessment, breakup analysis, and re-entry prediction.
• Integration & Transition Experience: Proven ability to integrate commercial capabilities with DoD/government operations.
• Leadership: Team leadership, training, and mentorship in high-tempo operational environments.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparing technical reports, delivering briefings, and engaging interagency partners.

Highly Desired:

• Experience at 18SDS/19SDS, Space Delta 2, or S.P.A.C.E. Office.
• Background in commercial space surveillance networks (e.g., Slingshot SGSN, LeoLabs, ExoAnalytic).
• Published research or conference contributions (e.g., AMOS, ASCEND, IAC) in orbital analysis, debris mitigation, or SDA.
• Certifications or formal training as Orbital Analyst, Advanced Orbital Analyst, or Senior Orbital Analyst.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-agency teams and developing training pipelines for orbital analysts.
• Tools: Proficiency with Linux/Unix, Python, and data analysis tools.

Applicants selected will be subject to a government background investigation and may need to meet eligibility requirements.

Benefits: Employees working 30+ hours weekly will be provided with opportunities and choices and support for their total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, work-life programs, and dependent care. Our recognition awards program acknowledges employees for exceptional performance.

Business Unit: Global Sciences and Technology (GST)

Identity Statement: As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.

Work Definitions: If this position is listed as remote or hybrid, you'll periodically work from a company or client site facility. As part of the onboarding process for this position, individuals undergoing identity verification for new PIV card issuance, must present a REAL ID compliant form of identification or an equivalent acceptable form.

GTSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment. GTSC is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. GTSC participates in the E-Verify program in all locations as required by law.