Mission Engineer - Software SME

Job Overview

Job A
• Date Posted:
June 6, 2026

Mid-level Systems Engineer

Join the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) team, where you'll contribute to groundbreaking innovations! We are seeking a mid-level Systems Engineer to help manage software development projects that support the Space Development Agency’s PWSA with our Strategic & Military Space Division.

Location:

Huntsville, AL (preferred; locations also considered.)

Locations considered:
North Logan, UT;
Chantilly, VA;
Huntsville, AL.

• Supports program managers and lead systems engineers on a program in technical management of projects through tracking, risks, requirements, interfaces, configurations, and related tasks.
• Has technical responsibility for planning and conducting technical projects or phases of projects.
• Designs and coordinates complex systems that involve interdisciplinary engineering such as software, hardware, thermal, structural, optical, and electrical.
• Defines and develops interfaces between development teams.
• Ensures common understanding between teams throughout development and is responsible for coordinating the work of many engineers, each of whom is an expert in one part of a system.
• Gathers all the necessary information about what is needed in a system, selects several possible ways of designing the system, and uses systems analysis to break down the possible solutions into smaller parts.
• Creates and maintains programmatic and technical documentation to ensure efficient planning and execution.
• Coordinates system development tasks to include design, integration, and formal testing.
• Oversees software development activities of SDA contractors to ensure appropriate processes and procedures are followed.
• Operates as a subject matter expert on behalf of SDA to influence mature software development practices across the organization.
• Operates as a technical point of contact for SDA upper management.

• Must be a U.S. citizen with an active, or previously held, U.S. Government security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field and 10+ years of combined software engineering and systems engineering experience.
• Systems engineering experience with familiarity with satellite bus architectures.
• Ability to lead and communicate effectively to interdisciplinary technical teams in proposal and design efforts for small- to mid-sized programs.
• Ability to provide mitigation strategies to minimize risk.
• Ability to interpret customer-driven requirements to determine areas of risk from a technical, cost, and schedule perspective.
• Ability to provide leadership and mentoring to junior engineers.
• Ability to respond resourcefully to new demands and challenges.
• Proficiency in managing and prioritizing requirements development and verification, risks, interfaces, configurations, and trade studies on medium to large complexity programs.
• Proficiency in providing technical oversight and leadership as the Lead Systems Engineer on small- to medium-sized programs.
• Proven organization and planning skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail while still having a system-level perspective.
• Ability to anticipate software development risks and develop contingency plans to manage them.
• Proficiency in all phases of a software development lifecycle.
• Ability to relate well with outside customers and maintain good relationships under challenging circumstances.
• Ability to abstract the progress of a software development project and present appropriate status to senior leadership (may include remote presentations, white papers, and/or personal communications).
• Moderate travel to support SDA (approximately 6-9 weeks a year).

• $118,000 - $226,000
  • Salary commensurate based on education and experience.

This range serves as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as role, level, location, market conditions, and individual qualifications, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.