Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With more than 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the U.S. and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA strives to be a value-added Objective, Responsive, and Trusted partner and premier provider.

The Space and Intelligence (S&I) Division provides engineering services and analytic support to the Air Force, Space Force, Combatant Commands, the Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes systems engineering and integration, test planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging, high priority National Defense needs, and assessing and developing cutting-edge computer-based solutions, advanced technologies and progressive capabilities to meet those needs.

The S&I Division comprises the Intelligence Programs Group (IPG), the Space Systems Group (SSG), and the Strategic Technology Analysis Group (STAG), which collectively provide outstanding support to help their customers achieve our nation’s most critical objectives and goals designed to protect the safety and livelihoods of all U.S. Citizens, military forces at home and abroad.

SPA has an immediate need for a number of highly qualified Senior Technical Space Operations Engineers and Technical Space Operations Engineering Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to support our new U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command Hemisphere contract in the Colorado Springs, CO, El Segundo, CA, Dulles, VA, Albuquerque, NM, San Antonio, TX, Cape Canaveral AFB (CCAFB), FL, and Palm Bay, FL areas.

Travel is not anticipated but would occur less than five percent of the time on an occasional and irregular basis and be limited to domestic locations only. 

We are seeking multiple Senior Technical Space Operations Engineer candidates for the following positions at the associated locations:

• Senior Action Group Managers located in the Colorado Springs, CO area
• Chief Engineers located in the Colorado Springs, CO area
• Senior Ground/Communications Systems Engineers located in either the El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, Albuquerque, NM, or San Antonio, TX areas
• Senior Ground Systems Engineers located in the El Segundo, CA, Colorado Springs, CO, or Dulles, VA areas
• Lead Radio Frequency (RF) Engineers located in the Colorado Springs, CO area
• Senior Space Control Experts located in the El Segundo, CA or Colorado Springs, CO areas
• Senior Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Operations Engineers located in the Colorado Springs, CO area
• Senior Space Systems Engineers located in the El Segundo, CA or Palm Bay, FL areas
• Senior Space Systems Experts located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Senior System Operations Support Engineers located in the Colorado Springs, CO area.

We are seeking Technical Space Operations Engineering SME candidates for the following positions at the specified locations:

• Chief Engineering SMEs located Colorado Springs, CO area
• Communications & RF Payload Technical Expert SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Launch Expert & Space Segment Engineering SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Launch Support SMEs located in the El Segundo, CA area
• Space Systems Engineering SMEs located in the Colorado Springs, CO area.

The Senior Technical Space Operations Engineers shall have:

• Experience working with space and/or software related acquisitions
• Knowledge in broad-spectrum program planning and execution documentation
• Experience developing strategic organizational documents and plans
• Deep knowledge of the DoD and space acquisitions process
• Expertise in maturing technologies using Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
• Deep knowledge in Space Situational Awareness (SSA), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), data gathering and analysis, anomaly resolution, Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTP) development, orbitology, navigation, sensor employment, communications, optimization, and Command and Control (C2)
• Expertise in systems engineering and program management including, testing, and employing information operations, space, and airborne systems
• Expertise in space system (including subcomponent) design, development, integration, test, and operations
• Expertise in multiple space control-related technologies, including optical sensors, radar, electronic support, signals intelligence, and communications
• Deep knowledge in ground system design, development, integration, and test
• Expertise in remote site surveys, equipment transportation, installation, checkout, testing, and maintenance
• Expertise in developing & documenting ACAT-like program ground architectures including DoDAF architecture views and Information Support Plans
• Deep knowledge in classified space control systems engineering processes and procedures, including requirements development, technical design reviews, configuration control, and government Deficiency Review (DR) board establishment, execution, and DR disposition and management
• Expertise in RF communications engineering including tracking, telemetry, and command bandwidth requirements, payload development, Network Manager collaboration over RF network engineering, satellite communications, and network operations
• Ability to support operational-level engineering for weapon system SSA units
• Deep knowledge in electronic attack technologies
• Deep knowledge in Modeling and Simulation (M&S)

The Technical Space Operations Engineering SME shall have:

• Expertise in classified space control space, ground, and C2 systems (concepts, development, build, and test
• Expertise in maturing technologies using Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs)
• Expertise in space system architecture and technical requirements development
• Deep knowledge in SSA, SDA, data gathering and analysis, anomaly resolution, TTP development, orbitology, navigation, sensor employment, communications, optimization, and C2
• Expertise in systems engineering and program management including requirements development, testing, and information processing, and space system communications
• Expertise in multiple space control-related technologies, including optical sensors, radar, electronic support, signals intelligence, and communications
• Ability to develop, update, and coordinate ACAT-like program documentation
• Deep knowledge in ground system design, development, integration, test, and operations
• Ability to organize and conduct system level technical design reviews and audits
• Expertise in RF communications engineering and signal processing
• Expertise in space control-related technologies, including electromagnetic spectrum, signal processing, communications
• Deep knowledge in electronic attack technologies and system design implementation
• Advanced ability to design and architecture analysis and management of modeling and simulation activities
• Deep knowledge in the Deficiency Review (DR) board establishment, execution, and DR disposition and management process

Required:

• U.S. Citizens only
• Active TS/SCI clearance or TS/SCI Eligible status
• Earned Masters degree in a relevant technical discipline, such as Systems Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Operations Research, or other related STEM degree program (or equivalent, such as a Bachelors degree in a related discipline plus at least 12 years of relevant experience in space system operations
• Experience with and strong understanding of systems engineering lifecycle

Desired:

• Specific work experience in the design, development, and operation of space-based systems
• Multiple completed training modules or completed coursework in related space operations or in relevant STEM technical areas
• Familiarity with U.S. Air Force and USSF acquisition policies, protocols, practices, procedures, and processes
• Certifications such as PMP, or CSEP/ESEP
• Current CI polygraph or willingness to take one
• Familiarity with space operations tools and techniques, such as MATLAB, Simulink, Cameo Systems Modeler, Systems (Satellite) Toolkit (STK), Director's Decision Model (DDM), Object-Oriented Systems Engineering Method (OOSEM), Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), or Multi-Attribute Utility Analysis (MAUA), Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent.  Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc.

Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only.  Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.  Pay Transparency Range:  170k - 240k