Ground Segment Systems Engineer

Ground Segment Systems Engineer

Location:

Reston, VA, US

At SES Space & Defense, we are a trusted partner ensuring mission success for customers operating in the most demanding environments. As part of SES S.A., a global leader in satellite-enabled connectivity, we deliver multi-orbit, end-to-end satellite and technology solutions that provide secure, reliable, and high-bandwidth communications across the globe. Our differentiated multi-orbit architecture combines GEO and MEO satellite systems with integrated terrestrial and network infrastructure to deliver resilient, low-latency, high-throughput connectivity at a global scale.

With more than 120 satellites covering nearly the entire world, a global ground network, and thousands of deployed terminals supporting over 5,000 government missions annually, SES Space and Defense is a trusted partner to the U.S. Federal Government and national security community, allied governments, NATO, and agencies including NASA for mission-critical communications.

The Ground Segment Systems Engineer will support the systems engineering, technical integration, and lifecycle management of the Ground Segment supporting a Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) communications satellite operating in a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) environment. Reporting to the Ground Segment IPT Lead, this role will help develop and maintain the Ground Segment technical baseline while contributing to requirements management, interface definition, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), verification planning, and Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) activities.

The successful candidate will work closely with RF, Network, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Software, Mission Planning, and Satellite Operations engineers to ensure successful integration and verification of the Ground Segment architecture throughout the program lifecycle.

This position offers broad exposure across multiple engineering disciplines and provides the opportunity to support a mission-critical government communications capability from development through long-term sustainment. The Ground Segment Systems Engineer will play a key role in ensuring that requirements, interfaces, architectures, and operational capabilities remain aligned as the system evolves.

Support the Ground Segment IPT Lead in the planning, coordination, and execution of Ground Segment engineering activities. Assist in the development, maintenance, and management of the Ground Segment technical baseline, ensuring consistency between requirements, architecture, interfaces, and implementation. Support the development, coordination, review, and maintenance of Ground Segment Interface Control Documents (ICDs), including interfaces between:
Ground Control Software RF Ground Systems Anchor Stations TT&C Systems Cloud Infrastructure Network Infrastructure Mission Planning Systems External Government Systems Space Vehicle Interfaces Coordinate with internal engineering teams and external stakeholders to ensure interface requirements are properly documented, reviewed, baselined, and maintained throughout the program lifecycle. Support Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) activities, including system modeling, architecture updates, requirements traceability, and management of engineering artifacts.

Assist in the development and maintenance of the Verification Cross Reference Matrix (VCRM) to ensure Ground Segment requirements are properly allocated and verified. Support development and maintenance of the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) and other Ground Segment systems engineering documentation. Support planning and coordination of Ground Segment Assembly, Integration & Test (AI&T) activities, including:
Integration planning Verification planning Test coordination Requirements validation Test documentation support Assist in the development and maintenance of Ground Segment requirements, verification matrices, engineering documentation, and technical reports. Support requirements traceability and configuration management activities throughout the system lifecycle. Participate in engineering working groups, technical interchange meetings, design reviews, and integration planning sessions. Support preparation for major program reviews, including:
System Requirements Review (SRR) Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Critical Design Review (CDR) Test Readiness Review (TRR) Operational Readiness Review (ORR) Track engineering action items, technical issues, and interface coordination efforts across the Ground Segment IPT. Support technical risk identification, documentation, and mitigation planning under the guidance of senior engineering staff. Assist in the transition of the Ground Segment from development and integration into operational service and long-term sustainment.

You are a motivated systems engineer with a strong interest in multidisciplinary integration and the delivery of complex aerospace and satellite communications capabilities. You understand the importance of…