Chief Space System Architect at SES Space & Defense in Reston, VA

What You'll Do:

As the Chief, Space Systems Architecture, you will serve as a technical authority responsible for exploring new payloads and architectures, conceptualizing new constellations and systems, and evaluating spacecraft and hosted payload solutions across SES Space & Defense programs. You will lead the technical conceptualization and evaluation of complex, mission-critical space systems while coordinating with a matrixed engineering organization spanning spacecraft, payloads, systems engineering, mission assurance, and external partners. Working closely with Strategic Initiatives General Managers, Chief Engineers, customers, suppliers, and government stakeholders, you will conceive and develop technical solutions that meet mission objectives while balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk. This role plays a central part in expanding SES Space & Defense's space capabilities, helping shape next-generation hosted payload, sensing, communications, and mission-enabled space architectures supporting national security customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as a technical authority for the exploration, conceptualization, and evaluation of spacecraft, hosted payload, and emerging space system solutions.

• Lead technical proposals and evaluations of space system programs, payloads, and concepts to meet mission performance objectives.

• Collaborate with a matrixed engineering organization spanning systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners.

• Define overall spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines.

• Support program-level review milestones including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and early on-orbit operations.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle.

• Partner directly with government customers, mission partners, and suppliers to translate mission requirements into executable technical solutions.

• Collaborate with engineering and mission operations organizations to ensure successful integration of the full end-to-end system concept.

• Support strategic growth initiatives by shaping technical solutions for future hosted payload, communications, sensing, and emerging space mission opportunities.

Who You Are:

You are a systems-level engineering leader with a demonstrated ability to conceptualize and architect complex spacecraft, payload, and mission solutions. You understand how mission requirements translate into system architectures and how multidisciplinary engineering disciplines come together to turn emerging concepts into technically credible, executable solutions. You are comfortable operating in the early stages of complex programs, evaluating technical approaches, conducting trades, assessing feasibility and risk, and shaping architectures that balance mission performance with cost, schedule, and execution considerations. You naturally build credibility with customers, engineering teams, executive leadership, and industry partners by combining deep technical expertise with strong systems thinking and sound engineering judgment. Whether exploring next-generation payload architectures, evaluating new mission concepts, or helping mature an emerging capability toward program execution, you remain focused on developing practical space system solutions that address customer mission needs.

Key Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline; advanced degree preferred.

• 12+ years of progressively responsible experience designing, developing, integrating, or delivering spacecraft, payloads, satellite systems, or other complex aerospace systems.

• Demonstrated experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role.

• Strong background in spacecraft architecture, payload systems, hosted payloads, satellite subsystems, or mission systems engineering.

• Experience integrating spacecraft subsystems including communications payloads, RF systems, onboard processors, and other mission-specific payloads.

• Extensive knowledge of systems engineering processes including requirements development, architecture definition, interface management, verification and validation, and technical risk management.

• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering organizations within a matrixed environment while influencing without direct authority.

• Experience supporting the complete system lifecycle including concept development, design, integration, environmental test, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with government customers, executive leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and mission partners.

• Experience supporting national security, defense, civil government, or commercial space programs.