HADES - Chief Engineer - Space Ground Systems

Public Trust: None

Requisition Type: Pipeline

Your Impact

Own your opportunity to support our nation's defense. Make an impact by connecting and securing critical operations across the globe, keeping our country safe and secure.

Job Description

Join General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) and help tackle some of the nation’s most complex space and ground-system challenges. The U.S. Space Force’s HADES program is seeking a Ground Systems Chief Engineer in Albuquerque, NM to lead technical strategy, system architecture, and mission integration for next‑generation satellite C2 capabilities.

Role Overview

As the program’s senior technical leader, you will guide end‑to‑end systems engineering for advanced satellite ground systems. You’ll shape architecture, drive mission risk management, and lead integration across cyber, crypto, communications, and cloud‑based technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the full systems engineering lifecycle, using authoritative data and model‑based engineering to reduce risk and improve product quality
• Drive technical requirements, test-driven design, and verification approaches
• Architect modular, open‑systems designs and identify reusable components
• Direct implementation aligned to change management and system baselines
• Oversee integration using automated, model-driven interface control
• Build comprehensive test strategies across unit, subsystem, integration, and end‑to‑end levels
• Coordinate validation with users, customers, and mission stakeholders
• Design repeatable sustainment processes and data-driven maintenance insights
• Oversee mission‑unique software integration and interface management
• Lead system-of-systems integration across space and ground segments
• Perform architecture and engineering analysis including requirements, interfaces, data architectures, performance, lifecycle costs, and CONOPS
• Support risk management with technical risk assessments and mitigation strategies
• Collaborate closely with Government, FFRDC, SETA, and contractor partners

Basic Qualifications

• BS in a technical field required; MS preferred
• 15+ years systems engineering experience in aerospace, satellite ground systems, or major DoD programs
• 4+ years in senior technical leadership (Chief Engineer, Lead Architect, Technical Director)
• Experience with at least three of the following:

• – Satellite ground control systems (MCC/SOC)
• – Hybrid cloud architectures (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, on‑prem)
• – Multi‑mission, multi‑classification environments
• – Enterprise software‑intensive or low‑cost R&D systems
• – Complex configuration management for ground infrastructures
• – DevSecOps, CI/CD, IaC
• – High‑availability 24x7 operations (99.9%+)

• Active TS with SCI eligibility

Required Certifications

• AWS Solutions Architect – Professional OR Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• INCOSE CSEP or ESEP
• CISSP or Security+ (8140)
• One of: SAFe Architect, DoDAF/MODAF, Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)

WHAT CAN GDIT OFFER YOU?

• Excellent customizable health benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision)
• 401K with company match
• Educational Assistance and eLearning
• Flexible work week
• Internal mobility team dedicated to employee advancement
• Rewards and Recognition programs
• Innovative and collaborative environment encouraging of highly motivated critical thinking

Work Requirements

Years of Experience

10 + years of related experience

* may vary based on technical training, certification(s), or degree

Certification

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) - International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2)

Travel Required

10-25%

Citizenship

U.S. Citizenship Required