NAVWAR Mid-Senior Level Mission Engineer

Job ID: 6462
Date Posted: February 18, 2026
SDL is seeking an Analytic Systems Integrator (ASI) for a pivotal role supporting the Space Warfighting Analysis Center / Spectrum Warfare Program (SWAC/SWP) mission in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This position requires a candidate with a strong background in managing and developing complex space systems, specifically with deep expertise in Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) architectures as they apply to the United States Space Force's (USSF) Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) mission area. The successful applicant will manage the day-to-day force design analysis for the NAVWAR Division, working hands-on with the technical team and interfacing with a diverse group of customers, partners (UARC, FFRDC, SETA), and technical staff to deliver timely and cost-effective solutions. The ideal candidate will possess extensive analytical leadership experience and be a confident communicator, comfortable briefing everyone from peers and commercial partners to general officers and senior government leaders in an environment of spirited technical discussion.

Key Responsibilities:

• Customer & Partner Engagement: Act as the primary interface to understand and address customer analytical needs. Develop and nourish strong partnerships with designated government offices, engineering leadership teams, and external partners (UARC, FFRDC, SETA).
• Technical & Analytical Leadership: Lead complex system analytics by organizing and focusing the work of multi-disciplinary engineering teams on common technical solutions. Keep the team centered on the core mission of delivering world-class analytics for the warfighter.
• Program Management & Execution: Work directly with the government customer to define clear deliverables, establish deadlines, and manage trade-offs involving scope, approach, cost, and schedule.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify, track, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality analytics on schedule and within budget.
• Strategic Communication: Prepare and deliver high-impact papers and briefings on complex technical findings to a wide range of audiences, including general officers, senior government leaders, and industry partners, often multiple times per year and with short notice.

• Space Mission Expertise: Possesses a strong and demonstrated background in understanding national security space system architectures and their direct application to critical space mission areas, such as Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) and Satellite Control.
• Aerospace Systems Experience: Proven experience in managing the development, integration, and analysis of complex space and ground systems.
• Analytical Leadership: A track record of leading analytical teams and providing data-driven solutions to complex problems.
• Project Management Acumen:Demonstrated expertise in leading and managing complex technical projects, ensuring the successful delivery of capabilities on schedule and within budget, from initiation through completion.
• Educational & Experience Requirements: A MS in a technical discipline such as Systems Engineering or Aerospace Engineering. A BS in technical discipline with five or more years of direct experience in space operations is also qualifying. Alternatively, 10-15 years of extensive, directly applicable professional experience in a national security space mission areas may be considered in lieu of formal educational qualifications.
• Leadership & Technical Acumen:
  • Ability to understand complex technical issues, translate them into actionable tasks, and guide analytical discussions and decisions.
  • Proven ability to organize and lead a geographically dispersed team that includes prime and subcontractor team members.
  • Proficiency in modern task management and program execution.
• Interpersonal & Communication Skills:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a complex environment with diverse partners.
  • A collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a history of making direct contributions to team success.
  • Strong contributor to in-depth technical debate.
  • Expert in communicating complex data to diverse audiences.
• Clearance and Travel:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen and hold an active Top-Secret Clearance.
  • Must have the ability to travel as required.

• 5 - 10 years of analytical experience with government PNT architectures (GPS - Global Positioning System) in support of the USSF Navigation Warfare (NAVWAR) Mission Area.
• Direct experience with various Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) constellations, their associated ground control segments, and alternative PNT sources.
• Deep understanding of PNT vulnerabilities and experience analyzing resilient PNT solutions and countermeasures to electronic warfare (jamming/spoofing).
• Experience with the development or integration of the PNT user segment, including military-grade receivers (e.g., MGUE) into warfighting platforms.
• Experience with specific DoW technical programs related to PNT, NAVWAR, and Satellite Control (Ground Segment).
• A demonstrated record of success managing high-tempo projects and delivering results under pressure.

• Flexible work schedules that fit your style-every Friday off, every other Friday off, hybrid remote work, or simply traditional hours(work schedule is contingent on customer's support requirements)
• Generous paid leisure and sick leave, ensuring you never miss a special event
• Favorable company locations with average commute times of less than 15 minutes
• High-quality, low-cost health, dental, and life insurance
• A 14.2% employer retirement contribution into a 401(a) account-no matching required!
• Utah State University undergraduate tuition discounts of 50%, full reimbursement for graduate tuition, and free course audits for employees and dependents meeting eligibility requirements
• A great, highly educated team that works together to solve some of the most fascinating problems on (and off) our planet
• We are a growing company that maintains both a family feel and high retention rate with over 90% job satisfaction
• Relocation assistance available for most positions

• $120,000 - $200,000
  • Salary commensurate based on education and relevant 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.