Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer

We have an opening for a Senior Spacecraft Engineer to lead multi-disciplinary teams in concept development requirements generation preliminary system design and performance analysis for the Z Programs Space Science and Security Program (SSSP). In this position you will have the opportunity to take a leading role in both analytical intelligence programs and design of advanced space payloads. You will collaborate with scientific and engineering personnel as well as senior management to design flight systems to support national security commercial and science missions; and manage a range of activities within the portfolio concentrated on using proven capabilities for mission areas such as intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); space situational awareness (SSA); communications; and other missions. You will coordinate with DOE and other intelligence community stakeholders to provide expert technical knowledge to answer questions critical to United States national security. You will have project management responsibility for defining and implementing the intellectual programmatic and supervisory functions necessary to ensure the successful execution of the programs research agenda and the development of a broad range of interfaces with current and potential sponsors. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level. 

You will

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts to resolve a diverse range of highly complex  problems independently determine strategies modify approaches and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Develop implement and provide highly advanced engineering solutions and technical analysis to resolve highly complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team including engineers scientists intelligence analysts and technical staff in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems performing highly complex analyses and successfully accomplishing specific technical goals relevant to lab mission areas in space systems. 
• Define system and sub-system requirements for applications in collaboration with APLs Chief Technologist and project systems architects on multiple programs establishing technical milestones and business plans for program execution.
• Propose develop execute and guide strategies that enhance the ability of the lab to address new opportunities in space flight hardware utilizing highly advanced technical knowledge of space systems engineering and best practices in the aerospace community.
• Develop new and innovative strategies for addressing pressing national security issues in technology and intelligence.
• Coordinate and interface directly with management and external sponsors to communicate technical milestones solicit input from and provide advice to technical leaders in the space program.
• Utilize highly advanced technical expertise and analytical skills to communicate results through formal and complex technical reports presentations and peer-reviewed scientific journals as appropriate.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to the development and establishment of integrated strategies for space program activities consistent with the goals of the SSSP and Z Program.
• Serve as primary technical contact to work closely and actively partner and communicate with U.S. Government sponsors other organizations and technology leaders to provide technical input apply highly advanced technical knowledge and develop implement and refine new concepts that support national security priorities.
• Maintain appropriate security in a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) environment for information and systems that are under the APLs direct control.
• Establish broad project vision and strategy and influence technical direction to drive successful outcomes for deliverables.
• Provide highly advanced technical guidance and mentorship to technical staff fostering their technical development and supporting their growth within the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Additional job responsibilities at the SES.5 level 

• Work under broad consultative direction with significant autonomy using expert and specialized knowledge to resolve highly unusual complex and/or sensitive problems and to influence set and direct high-level objectives and strategic plans that impact organizational operations and attain long-range program goals and objectives.
• Influence strategic technical decisions and interact directly with senior leaders at U.S. government agencies to champion develop and implement new mission architectures and demonstration systems.
• Provide guidance and strategic vision for scientific and technical direction of projects within the Space Hardware and Engineering Assessments Programs. Brief overall impact and approach of work to senior management.
• Execute guide and ensure alignment and adherence of team responsibilities and performance to strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.
• Act as senior technical expert and represent the Laboratory on high-level external scientific or technical committees.
• Utilize expert-level communication facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively advise and influence senior Laboratory personnel and other key stakeholders. 

Qualifications :

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in Systems Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Physics Computer Science Optics or relevant technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience with and highly advanced knowledge in one or more technical areas related to spacecraft engineering. These areas may include but are not limited to systems engineering high-TRL optical flight hardware communications and telecommand mission and orbit design power and computer systems thermal control structures guidance navigation and control and propulsion.
• Significant experience with and demonstrated ability to successfully lead and motivate a multidisciplinary team of scientists engineers and analysts in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems project systems engineering requirements definition and verification and resource and project management.
• Significant experience conducting research and analysis related to national security issues.
• Expert-level knowledge and understanding of National Security mission requirements and significant applied experience with programs and projects for National Security mission applications and related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with laboratory technical experts and coordinate with other U.S. government agencies. 
• Expert-level strategic planning organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.  
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and experience in preparing highly complex reports and successfully delivering highly advanced technical presentations as well as expert facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively influence and advise senior management and external sponsors. 
• Ability to travel as necessary to meet with and present analyses to sponsors stakeholders and counterparts. 
• Ability to perform classified work in classified workspaces.
   

Additional qualifications at the SES.5 level

• Expert knowledge in how national-level priorities drive investments and decision-making by funding agencies with execution and acquisition authority.
• Extensive experience leading large dynamic projects and multi-organizational efforts with significant impact on long-term goals including providing organizational guidance and influence in defining and/or refining processes and procedures.
• Extensive experience and proven track record of successfully leveraging federal resources and partnerships to develop new project portfolios and catalyze innovation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in managing and leading multidisciplinary (scientists engineers and analysts) project teams.
• Extensive experience conducting research and analysis related to national security issues including extensive experience with Intelligence Community and Department of Defense needs and practices as well as SCI security marking intelligence oversight and compliance and related security and safety practices.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in Systems Engineering Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Aerospace Engineering Physics Computer Science Optics or related field.
• Experience managing and leading multi-million-dollar research and development project portfolios.
• Detailed knowledge of industrial spacecraft engineering processes troubleshooting standards and practices.
• Detailed knowledge of how U.S. government agencies evaluate and acquire new systems preferably gained from directly supporting national security space organizations through previous military service a long-term assignment or employment at a U.S. government agency or equivalent combination of related experiences.
• Experience in the development and use of MBSE tools methods and techniques as applied to spaceflight systems.
• Requires subject matter expert knowledge (often recognized internally and externally) of highly advanced concepts spanning one or more areas in science technology or engineering.

Additional Information :

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  Also you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access.  If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time