SME Aerospace Engineer (Secret)

Job description

Delta Solutions & Strategies is seeking a SME Aerospace Engineer to support United States Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Sensing (SN) activities in Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. This position will provide systems engineering, mission integration, space vehicle, payload, ground system, test, launch, and mission-readiness activities across the Space Sensing acquisition life cycle. The selected candidate will serve as a subject-matter authority, shape technical approaches and decision products, lead the most complex analyses or reviews, and advise Government technical or program leadership on high-impact issues. The ideal candidate will be a recognized expert in the functional area with deep Department of Defense or national security space experience and the ability to influence technical direction, resolve difficult problems, and brief senior stakeholders. \*Anticipated award/start date September 28, 2026 ### What you will be doing: - Serve as a subject-matter authority for the assigned functional area and advise Government technical or program leadership on high-complexity issues. - Shape technical approaches, strategies, processes, and decision products and lead the most complex reviews or analyses. - Represent the functional area in senior-level technical forums, working groups, and cross-organizational coordination as required. - Apply systems engineering methods across concept development, requirements definition, design, integration, verification, test, launch, operations, and sustainment activities. - Review technical requirements, specifications, Systems Engineering Plans, Integrated Master Plans and Schedules, interface documents, test documentation, and other acquisition products for technical completeness and consistency. - Track technical performance, requirements verification, interfaces, schedule, risk, and mission readiness and identify issues requiring Government attention. - Support spacecraft, payload, launch vehicle, ground system, and mission-partner integration activities. - Participate in technical interchange meetings, design reviews, readiness reviews, Integrated Product Teams, working groups, and other program or mission reviews. - Conduct or support engineering trade studies, mission planning analyses, concept development, test planning, and technical assessments to inform Government decisions. - Support configuration and data management, mission assurance, system safety, launch readiness, and operational transition activities as assigned. - Develop technical assessments, reports, briefings, white papers, meeting products, and action-item tracking for Government review. ### What you will need: - Professional experience and technical depth commensurate with a Subject Matter Expert-level role in the applicable functional area. - Relevant aerospace, systems engineering, space systems, mission integration, or related technical experience commensurate with the position level. - Knowledge of systems engineering processes across requirements, design, integration, verification, test, and sustainment. - Experience reviewing complex technical documentation and translating findings into clear recommendations. - Ability to assess technical, schedule, interface, and mission risks and communicate impacts to Government stakeholders. - Strong research, analytical, technical writing, editing, and briefing skills. - Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with military, civilian, FFRDC, and contractor personnel. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications used to develop technical reports, briefings, schedules, and other Government deliverables. - Ability to work on site in Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California and support in-person Government meetings and mission activities as required. - Ability to support CONUS and OCONUS travel when required by the Government. - Ability to work with sensitive and classified information, Government systems, controlled-access facilities, and Government-furnished equipment in accordance with contract requirements. - Security Clearance: Active Secret clearance required. Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance if required by the contract. ### Desired Skills/Experience: - Experience supporting United States Space Force, Space Systems Command, or another Department of Defense space acquisition organization. - Experience with missile warning, missile tracking, missile defense, space-based environmental monitoring, or other national security space missions. - Experience with spacecraft, payload, launch vehicle, ground system, or mission operations integration. - Experience supporting System Requirements Reviews, Preliminary Design Reviews, Critical Design Reviews, Test Readiness Reviews, or mission readiness reviews. - Familiarity with configuration management, mission assurance, system safety, risk management, or launch integration. - Experience supporting highly classified space programs or cross-organizational technical teams. - Demonstrated experience serving as a technical or functional authority on complex Department of Defense programs. - Experience advising senior Government leaders, shaping technical approaches, and leading high-visibility reviews or analyses.