Chief Engineer, Ground Data Networks Division, SWAC

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Major Duties

The United States Space Force (USSF) in Colorado Springs is searching for a Chief Engineer, Ground Data Networks Division, SWAC (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Serve at the forefront of space mission innovation as the Chief Engineer for the Ground Data Network Division, where you will shape the future of enterprise data architectures supporting satellite control and command-and-control operations. In this pivotal SWAC role, you will drive the design and delivery of advanced analytic solutions, leveraging cutting-edge tools and methodologies to enhance mission resilience, security, and performance. As the division's technical authority, you will guide system architecture integration efforts-bringing together cloud, processing, and network capabilities into cohesive, interoperable solutions. You will collaborate with national laboratories, contractors, and joint service partners to develop and deliver impactful, mission-aligned capabilities. Leading cross-functional teams, you will champion innovation while ensuring technical excellence across all analytic products. Your expertise will directly inform senior leadership through clear, strategic communication of technical insights and recommendations. This is a unique opportunity to combine visionary leadership with engineering precision to strengthen the U.S. Space Force's ground data network enterprise. Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate is a highly skilled engineering leader with deep, multidisciplinary expertise and a proven ability to apply advanced engineering principles across complex program lifecycles. They bring extensive knowledge of satellite communications, ground networks, data processing systems, and modern cloud-based architectures, combined with strong systems engineering and acquisition experience. This individual excels at managing large-scale technical projects, integrating emerging technologies, and delivering innovative, mission-focused solutions. They are a strategic thinker with the ability to analyze complex challenges, develop effective solutions, and assess impacts across interconnected systems. Exceptional communication and collaboration skills are essential, with the ability to engage effectively with senior leaders, technical teams, and external partners. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: 1. Mastery of a wide range of multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, techniques, materials, and equipment to effectively apply advanced engineering theories, principles, and concepts to project development, execution, and advisory services. 2. Knowledge of communication frequencies and its relation to ground networking, data processing and movement capabilities and applications (front end and back end) to include Satellite Control systems, Operational and Tactical Command and Control systems, and commercial cloud. 3. Expert knowledge of systems engineering practices and procedures as they pertain to sustainment, modification, logistics, and production management principles, concepts, policies, and systems to execute significant projects which represent an important segment of the agency's operating program. 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles of planning/program management; of standard acquisition regulations, practices, and procedures; and of engineering disciplines used in support of sustainment, modification, and maintenance programs. 5. Ability to devise and evaluate criteria, parameters, characteristics, and interrelationships for design approaches; to assess the impact of new technology on current systems and processes; and to gather, assemble, and analyze facts, form conclusions, and devise and recommend solutions to problems. 6. Ability to clearly and concisely communicate technical information, both orally and in writing, as well as work in a professional manner with peers, management, contractors, academia, and other agencies.

Qualifications

The 0801 series has an individual occupational requirement that must be met and can be viewed here. In addition to the above requirements you can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 4th section titled Professional and Scientific Positions.

Promotion Potential

NH-None

How You Will Be Evaluated

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Benefits

View benefits details ↗

Who Can Apply

• Open to the public

Required Documents

Resume: You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide: Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information: Job title Detailed duties and accomplishments Employer's name and address Supervisor's name and phone number Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.) Hours per week Salary, if applicable Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

How to Apply

Do not email applications. To submit your resume for this Direct Hire opportunity click here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

What to Expect Next

For additional information on other USSF direct hire opportunities visit the Air Force Civilian Careers Space Force website and follow USSF on LinkedIn.

Other Information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

About the Agency

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) will be used to form a pool of qualified applicants who will be considered for direct hire vacancies as they become available. To learn more about the United States Space Force Mission click here