Lead Systems Engineer (SME) - Next Generation GEO

Job Description

Job Description

Mainsail is seeking a Lead Systems Engineer (SME) to provide senior-level technical advisory support to the United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing (SN), System Delta 84 (SYD 84), Next Generation GEO Program .

The Next Generation GEO Program develops advanced Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) capabilities supporting strategic missile warning, missile tracking, battlespace awareness, and integrated deterrence missions. This position provides senior systems engineering leadership across spacecraft, payload, ground, integration, and mission architectures supporting the development and deployment of future GEO OPIR capabilities.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and strategic engineering insight across all phases of system development while advising Government leadership on technical risks, acquisition decisions, integration activities, and mission performance.

Job Description

• Serve as a senior systems engineering advisor supporting the Next Generation GEO Program Office.
• Evaluate spacecraft, payload, ground system, and mission architecture solutions supporting GEO OPIR mission objectives.
• Lead assessment of contractor engineering products, design maturity, system performance, and acquisition execution.
• Analyze requirements, architectures, interface definitions, verification strategies, and technical baselines throughout program execution.
• Support Government oversight of contractor design reviews, technical interchange meetings, readiness reviews, and milestone activities.
• Assess technical risks, design trades, integration challenges, and program impacts.
• Evaluate mission performance impacts associated with architecture decisions, requirement changes, and design modifications.
• Support integration activities involving spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, launch providers, and operational mission partners.
• Conduct technical assessments supporting acquisition decisions and technical governance processes.
• Review contractor documentation, engineering analyses, integration plans, verification approaches, and test strategies.
• Develop senior-leader briefings, decision memoranda, white papers, and technical recommendations.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and provide technical leadership across Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor teams.

Required Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen.
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.  
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 13-15+ years of systems engineering experience supporting complex aerospace or defense systems.
• Extensive experience supporting space systems acquisition, OPIR programs, missile warning missions, or National Security Space architectures.
• Demonstrated expertise in spacecraft, payload, ground-system, and mission integration engineering.
• Experience advising senior Government leadership on technical and acquisition matters.
• Strong analytical, communication, briefing, and technical writing skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience supporting Next Gen OPIR, GEO OPIR, SBIRS, FORGE, Future OPIR, or related SSC programs.
• Experience with Space Systems Command acquisition activities.
• Experience evaluating spacecraft and payload development programs.
• Experience with digital engineering and MBSE.
• Experience supporting system-level integration and test efforts.
• Experience with enterprise architecture development and mission-performance analysis.

Desired Technical Specialties

• GEO OPIR Architectures
• Spacecraft Systems Engineering
• Payload Engineering
• Mission Integration
• Systems Integration
• Requirements Engineering
• Verification and Validation
• Test and Evaluation
• Technical Risk Management
• Digital Engineering
• MBSE
• Enterprise Architecture
• SETA Support to Government Acquisition Programs

Desired Certifications

• International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Associate Systems Engineering Professional (ASEP) or Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP) certification.
• Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Defense Acquisition University (DAU) certification in Systems Engineering, Program Management, or related acquisition disciplines.

Working Conditions

• Dynamic office environment supporting Government acquisition, mission integration, and engineering activities.
• Regular participation in technical reviews, cross-program working groups, and Government meetings.
• Frequent coordination with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor organizations across multiple programs and mission areas.
• Occasional support outside normal business hours to accommodate program milestones, integration events, testing activities, operational exercises, or mission-critical activities.
• Travel up to approximately 10% in support of Government objectives.

Company Description

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.

Company Description

MAINSAIL Group provides systems engineering and technical assistance, advisory and assistance services, and program management support to Air Force, Space Force and Navy customers. MAINSAIL and its joint ventures manage Secret, Top Secret, SCI and Special Access Program requirements at customer sites across the United States.