Launch Systems Integration Engineer & Technical Advisor (SETA)

SSI is seeking a Launch Systems Integration Engineer & Technical Advisor (SETA) to support mission-critical national security space programs within the Department of the Air Force and government partner organizations in Chantilly, VA. In this role, you will serve as a primary technical advisor and liaison bridging government program offices, payload developers, launch service providers, and operational stakeholders.

You will lead technical evaluations, mission baselining, and integration activities across the mission lifecycle - from early concept development, trade studies, and requirements management through launch site ground processing, day-of-launch operations, and post-flight mission analysis.

Role and Responsibilities include:

Technical Integration & Mission Assurance

• Serve as a primary technical advisor coordinating across government agencies, payload developers, launch service providers, and range authorities. In this capacity, you will support end-to-end mission integration, baseline definition,trade studies, and technical risk assessments.
• Responsibilities include evaluating engineering products, monitoring interface compatibility, supporting milestone and technical readiness reviews, and guiding activities to ensure alignment with applicable range safety, regulatory, and operational requirements.

Launch Campaign Execution & Mission Operations

• Manage technical baselines, engineering change proposals (ECPs), deviations, and non-conformances related to vehicle interfaces and launch site ground processing.
• Provide on-site and console engineering support at launch base facilities (such as Cape Canaveral SFS,Vandenberg SFB, and Wallops Flight Facility) during spacecraft processing, encapsulation, transport, and mate operations.
• Contribute to and support technical readiness activities, including Launch Readiness Reviews (LRRs), Mission Readiness Reviews (MRRs), countdown dress rehearsals, and day-of-launch operations.
• Assess post-flight telemetry data and flight performance metrics to deliver comprehensive mission success reports to leadership.
• Monitor aerospace industry advancements, emerging launch vehicle technologies, and new entrant capabilities to inform future mission planning.

Required Qualifications:

• Clearance: Active Top Secret / SCI clearance; must be able to successfully obtain and maintain a polygraph and special accesses.
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a closely related STEM discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of technical experience in aerospace systems engineering, space mission integration, or spacecraft operations.
• Systems Engineering & Integration: Demonstrated experience supporting mission integration processes, technical requirements evaluation, interface verification, and compliance with operational and range safety standards.
• Communication & Collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively across multi-agency, multi-disciplined government and contractor teams, with strong written and verbal communication skills to support technical decision-making.

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct experience supporting Department of the Air Force (DAF), United States Space Force (USSF), Space Systems Command (SSC), or National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) programs.
• Prior experience in a SETA, FFRDC, or government acquisition program office advising space or launch programs.
• Active console experience during countdown operations, rehearsals, or launch site ground operations.
• Experience with multi-payload or rideshare mission integration.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) frameworks and SysML-based tools.
• Experience utilizing engineering simulation tools or AI-enabled workflows to assist with technical evaluations.