United States onlyWe have an opening for a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer – Program Office Liaison based at various locations in Huntsville AL. In this role you will provide spacecraft and ballistic missile subject matter expertise, in support of the Golden Dome of America. This position will directly support the Space Force Space Combat Power PEO for Space Based Interceptors. The role will function as the LLNL liaison to the Space Force, assisting in the coordination of a multi-disciplinary team that performs concept evaluation, requirements generation, modeling & simulations, and analyses of advanced space payloads and spacecraft models for the Z Program’s Space Science and Security Program (SSSP). You will collaborate with scientific and engineering personnel, as well as senior management, to evaluate proposed spacecraft solutions to support national security missions. You will have project management responsibilities for defining and implementing the technical, programmatic, and supervisory functions necessary to ensure the successful execution of the program’s agenda. Additionally, you will develop and grow a broad range of interfaces with current and potential sponsors. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.
The 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.
In this role, you will
- Provide key communication from the US government (USG) program office back to the LLNL Space Science and Security Program (SSSP).
- Advise LLNL on the priorities and status of the USG program office and ensure close coordination between LLNL program developments and our customer’s needs.
- Provide advanced knowledge and technical support in one or more spacecraft and or/missile defense subsystems, such as: attitude and orbital controls, propulsion, solar array design, electrical power systems, avionics, data handling and on-board processing, thermal, structures and mechanisms, telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C), RF communications, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payloads, and/or electro-optical payloads.
- Conduct various comprehensive and complex analyses of spacecraft and missile defense effectiveness.
- Collaborate and interface directly with management and external sponsors to communicate technical milestones and solicit input from technical leaders in the space program.
- Use technical expertise and analytical skills to develop and communicate results through formal technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed papers as appropriate.
- Review intelligence reports and perform, prepare, and provide technical analysis for the intelligence community and external sponsors.
- Provide technical expertise and analytical support to guide, contribute to, and collaborate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team including engineers, scientists, and technical staff to solve complex technical problems and achieve specific technical goals relevant to national security missions in space systems.
- Travel as needed to present analyses to sponsors, stakeholders and counterparts.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level
- Perform highly complex analyses of spacecraft constellations and missile defense architectures performance and capabilities.
- Propose, develop, and implement strategies that enhance the ability of the lab to address new opportunities in space systems analysis, modeling, and simulations utilizing highly advanced technical knowledge of space systems engineering and best practices in the aerospace community.
- Participate in strategic planning and contribute to the development and establishment of an integrated business strategy for space program activities consistent with the goals of the SSSP and Z Program.
- Serve as primary technical contact to partner and actively engage 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 missions.
- Define, establish, and maintain business plans for program execution, tracking costs and managing budgets.
- This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret clearance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or related technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Experience with and advanced level knowledge in one or more spacecraft subsystems or functions including but not limited to: system requirements, integration & test, launch support, on-orbit operations, attitude and orbital controls, propulsion, solar array design, electrical power systems, avionics, data handling and on-board processing, thermal, structures and mechanisms, telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C), RF antennas and communications, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) payloads, and/or electro- optical (EO) payloads.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary personnel, take initiative, proactively identify opportunities or challenges, utilize advanced problem-solving skills, and independently drive projects or tasks to successful completion.
- Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment, including the ability to prepare, present, and explain technical information to colleagues, senior management, and external sponsors.
- Ability to travel.
Additional qualifications at the SES.4 level
- Significant experience conducting program development, operations, 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, including satellite constellations and/or missile defense architectures.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships and coordinate with technical experts, program acquisition offices, policy makers, and key stakeholders at other U.S. government agencies.
- 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, systems engineering requirements definition and verification, and resource and project management
- Significant experience estimating cost and schedule of spacecraft and/or missile defense projects.
- 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.
Qualifications We Desire
- Advanced degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Optics, Systems Engineering, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in complex systems integration and the knowledge of the maturation process from concept, to prototype, to test and ultimately fielding a system for a national security customer.
- Knowledge of industrial spacecraft and missile engineering processes, standards, and practices.
- Familiarity with orbital mechanics including orbit determination and/or satellite maneuvering.
- Experience with spacecraft communications, command and control, and/or link budgets.
- Experience with on-orbit anomaly resolution and/or spacecraft failure review boards.
- Familiarity with USG budgeting, requirements management, and program execution frameworks.
- Project Management Professional certification (or equivalent education/experience).
Position Information
This is a Flexible Term appointment, which is for a definite period not to exceed six years. If final candidate is a Career Indefinite employee, Career Indefinite status may be maintained (should funding allow).
Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?
- Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
- Flexible Benefits Package
- 401(k)
- Relocation Assistance
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
- Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values
Security Clearance
This position requires an active Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance or active Top Secret clearance issued by another U.S. government agency at time of hire. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. Please note that your current active Q or Top Secret clearance with DOE or another agency does not guarantee DOE SCI access approval; if you are denied access, you may be subject to reinvestigation of your existing Q or Top Secret Clearance.
Pre-Employment Drug Test
External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.
Wireless and Medical Devices
Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.
If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.
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Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.
We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.
Pay Range
$115,655 - $190,862 Annually
$115,655 - $159,103 Annually for the SES.3 level
$138,827 - $190,862 Annually for the SES.4 level
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.
