Space Dynamics Laboratory

Experienced Multidisciplinary Systems Engineer

Strategic Military Space - Albuquerque, NM - Full Time

Job ID: 7984A
Date Posted: June 3, 2026

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) is seeking an experienced Multidisciplinary Systems Engineer to develop, integrate, and test satellite ground system solutions. The successful candidate will play a key role in defining ground system architectures, coordinating interdisciplinary engineering efforts, managing requirements, risks, interfaces, and configurations, and ensuring cohesive technical execution across multiple teams. This senior position is ideal for candidates with deep systems engineering expertise, strong leadership and communication skills, and a proven ability to guide multi-disciplinary teams, resolve cross-cutting technical challenges, and drive successful program outcomes in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

The Strategic & Military Space Division delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation’s defense capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provides systems engineering expertise and technical guidance to management, program managers, and customers regarding project feasibility, technical approaches, requirements, risks, and system impacts
  • Manages cross-functional engineering coordination across software, hardware, and support teams to ensure technical alignment, schedule execution, and compliance with program requirements
  • Manages system engineering activities including requirements development, system design and analysis, hardware and software integration, maintenance of technical baselines and program documentation, and verification and test
  • Proactively identifies technical and programmatic risks and develops robust mitigation and contingency strategies
  • Evaluates vendor and subcontractor capabilities to ensure delivered products and services satisfy system-level requirements
  • Supports proposal and business development activities through technical leadership, customer engagement, and coordination of engineering inputs.
  • Works directly with the Government Customer daily
Required Qualifications:
  • 18+ years of applicable experience with a bachelor’s degree, or 16+ years with a master’s degree, or 12+ years with a PhD
  • Must be a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance
  • Recognized systems engineering expert with broad knowledge across mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, software, controls, and other engineering disciplines
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and provide technical oversight for complex, high-risk engineering programs
  • Demonstrated ability to apply strong analytical and systems-thinking skills to solve technical, cost, and schedule challenges
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively under pressure and maintain customer confidence in complex technical and programmatic environments
  • Mastery of systems engineering processes including requirements development, verification, risk management, interface control, configuration management, trade studies, and integration of agile development practices
  • Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to advise program managers, influence interdisciplinary teams, and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain technical baselines, produce high-quality engineering documentation, and provide accurate cost and schedule inputs
  • Experience with satellite and ground systems
  • Ability to travel as required

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with national security Air Force, and Space Force, space and ground systems
  • Experience with Command, Control, Battle Management, and Communications (C2BMC)
  • Experience with mission planning for government programs
  • Knowledge of satellite communication protocols and standards
  • Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices related to satellite operations
  • Experience with satellite ground station equipment and connectivity, including antennas and RF systems
  • Familiarity with cloud computing platforms and their integration with ground systems

*Salary Range:
  • $165,000 - $225,000
    • 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. The range displayed in the job advertisement reflects the minimum and maximum target salaries across all US locations. Specific salary details for a candidate’s preferred location can be provided by the recruiter or HR manager during the hiring process.

Why Join SDL?
*SDL offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. Visit our Benefits Page to learn more about what we offer.

SDL delivers advanced multi-domain solutions to protect national security and enable scientific discovery. Our expertise in satellites, sensors and instruments, ground systems and data processing, and autonomous systems plays a critical role in missions supporting NASA and the Department of Defense. Join our team of engineers, scientists, technicians, and business professionals in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we strive to uphold a culture of respect, collaboration, empowerment, and accountability. We listen with open minds, seek to understand diverse perspectives, and engage in thoughtful dialogue. We work together by sharing knowledge, involving others, and offering support. We trust and empower our team members to take ownership, act with integrity, and be accountable. Above all, we deliver on our commitments to each other and to our mission partners.

The application window for this position is expected to remain open for approximately 14 days. However, it may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. We encourage interested candidates to submit their applications promptly.

For questions, assistance, or accommodation with the application process or the DoD SkillBridge program, please contact employment@sdl.usu.edu.

Apply: Experienced Multidisciplinary Systems Engineer
* Required fields
First name*
Last name*
Email address*
Location
Phone number*
Resume*

Attach resume or Paste resume

Attach resume as .pdf, .doc, .docx, .odt, .txt, or .rtf (limit 5MB) or paste resume

Paste your resume here or attach resume file

Cover Letter*
Please select your US work authorization status:*
Are you able to obtain a US Government Security Clearance? (US citizenship is required)
For additional information about obtaining a Security Clearance, please visit this link: https://www.state.gov/security-clearances*
I understand and agree that any misrepresentation on this application will be sufficient cause for cancellation of this application and/or separation from the employer's service if I have been employed. I give the employer the right to investigate all references and to secure additional information about me, if job-related. I hereby release from liability the employer and its representatives for seeking such information and all other persons, corporations or organizations for furnishing such information. The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The employer does not discriminate in employment and no question on this application is used for the purpose of limiting or excusing any applicant's consideration for employment on a basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. I understand that just as I am free to resign at any time, the employer reserves the right to terminate my employment at any time, with or without cause and without prior notice. I understand that no representative of the employer has the authority to make any assurances to the contrary. I understand that it is this company's policy not to refuse to hire a qualified individual with a disability because of this person's need for an accommodation that would be required by the ADA.*
We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment please contact Human Resources at [email protected]

Can you perform the essential functions of the job applied for with or without accommodation?*
Where did you hear about this job?*
This position requires onsite support at the location listed in the job posting. Are you willing to work onsite and relocate if you do not currently reside within commuting distance?*
Are you 18 years or older?*
If you prefer to use a name that differs from your legal first name for your employee email, badge, etc., please list it here.
Please select the option below that best describes your years of relevant experience and highest education level.*
How many years of relevant experience do you have?*
Do you currently hold an active U.S. Government security clearance? If so, what level?*
Are you willing and able to travel as required?*
Please select the correct job ID located at the top of the job advertisement.*
The following questions are entirely optional.
To comply with government Equal Employment Opportunity and/or Affirmative Action reporting regulations, we are requesting (but NOT requiring) that you enter this personal data. This information will not be used in connection with any employment decisions, and will be used solely as permitted by state and federal law. Your voluntary cooperation would be appreciated. Learn more.
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Invitation for Job Applicants to Self-Identify as a U.S. Veteran
  • A “disabled veteran” is one of the following:
    • a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or
    • a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.
  • A “recently separated veteran” means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.
  • An “active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran” means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.
  • An “Armed forces service medal veteran” means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.
Veteran status
I IDENTIFY AS ONE OR MORE OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF PROTECTED VETERAN LISTED ABOVE
I AM NOT A PROTECTED VETERAN
I DON’T WISH TO ANSWER
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability Form CC-305
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 05/31/2026
Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Please check one of the boxes below:
YES, I HAVE A DISABILITY, OR HAVE HAD ONE IN THE PAST
NO, I DO NOT HAVE A DISABILITY AND HAVE NOT HAD ONE IN THE PAST
I DO NOT WANT TO ANSWER

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Name Date
Human Check*