Software Systems Engineer

Overview

JOB SUMMARY: The Software Systems Engineer Chief will lead the technical execution of advanced ground software systems supporting NASA Innovation Lab with the U.S. Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT) Program. This role is responsible for end-to-end leadership of the Search and Rescue Intelligence for REscue Navigation (SIREN) software development effort and its integration into the SAR Intelligent Terminal (SAINT) system.

The successful candidate will manage the full software lifecycle—from requirements derivation and architecture through development, integration, testing, and critical design review (CDR)—with minimal government intervention. The role emphasizes applying AI/ML techniques to improve distress beacon location accuracy by fusing data from multiple internal and external databases, delivering high-confidence operational solutions to mission users. This is a senior, hands-on technical leadership role requiring deep experience in software systems engineering, AI-enabled systems, safety-critical government software, and multi-disciplinary team leadership.

Location: This is a hybrid position requiring on-site support at Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD) at least 1 day per week (subject to change), with the remaining days worked remotely from home.

• Technical & Systems Leadership:
  Serve as the technical authority and chief systems engineer for the SIREN software effort, overseeing architecture, design, integration, and verification activities.
• Software environmental integration:
  Lead the enhancement and integration of the SIREN AI tool suite into the SAINT operational software environment.
• System design for reliability:
  Ensure system designs support high-confidence distress beacon location prediction through data fusion, pattern recognition, and AI-driven analytics.

• Manage the full software development lifecycle in accordance with NPR 7150.2D and GPR 7150.1, from formulation through prototype development and CDR.
• Derive and manage lower-level software requirements from government-provided L1/L2 (SIREN) and L3 (SAINT) requirements.
• Maintain bidirectional traceability between requirements, design, implementation, and verification artifacts.
• Review existing SAINT open work items and incorporate appropriate updates as part of system enhancements.

• Lead the application of AI/ML methods to analyze multi-source data, enhance low-confidence inputs, and improve initial distress beacon location accuracy.
• Oversee integration of data from SARSAT registration databases, incident history systems, and external information sources.
• Ensure AI models are explainable, reliable, and suitable for mission-critical operational use.

• Provide senior-level engineering management to ensure successful execution with minimal government oversight.
• Coordinate project management, software development, testing, systems engineering, and integration activities across a multi-disciplinary team.
• Prepare and lead major technical reviews, including Critical Design Review (CDR).
• Support future task modifications extending development through system completion.

• Develop and approve required technical documentation as defined in the SOW deliverables, including requirements documents, design artifacts, and review materials.
• Ensure compliance with Class B (tailored) software standards for SIREN and alignment of SAINT updates to the same rigor level.

• Strong background in software systems engineering, requirements development, and lifecycle management.
• Experience with AI/ML-enabled systems, data fusion, or advanced analytics in operational environments.
• Proven ability to integrate software systems with multiple databases and external data sources.
• Familiarity with NASA or government software standards, including NPR 7150.2D or comparable frameworks.
• Experience with ground software development, integration, and test.

• Ability to operate as a senior technical authority with minimal government direction.
• Proven success leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams across project management, development, test, and integration.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts to government stakeholders and mission users.

RELEVANT

EXPERIENCE:

20 years of relevant experience which may include educational degree.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.

SECURITY CLEARANCE: US Citizenship is required, and Section 508 (Agency Standards) is applicable. Ability to obtain required National Agency Check (NAC) clearance.

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