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Space Systems Command

Space Launch Engineer, SSC/SYD 80

Department of the Air Force · Kirtland AFB, New Mexico

Salary
$90,479 - $139,871 per year
Pay grade
NH-3
Schedule
Full-time
Appointment
Permanent
Opened
Nov 4, 2026
Closes
Nov 11, 2026
Remote
No
Telework eligible
Yes
Openings
1
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Promotion potential
None
Announcement
SF-FY27-6S-NH-0801-03-SPLSH

Who may apply: Open to the public

Apply on USAJOBS

Applications are submitted on USAJOBS.gov, not on Careers.org. Always confirm details in the official announcement.

Summary

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.

Duties

  • The United States Space Force (USSF) at Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM L is searching for a Space Launch Engineer to support SSC/SYD 80 (NH-0801-03, GS-12/13 Equivalent). Description: Are You Ready to Launch Your Career into Orbit? Join the United States Space Force's premier rapid response launch team as a Space Launch Engineer & Program Manager, where your work directly supports the Nation's most critical defense missions. This is your chance to lead high-stakes launch acquisition and operations across a constellation of national priorities-including missions for the USSF, Office of the Secretary of War (OSW), Army, Navy, Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), and the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Golden Dome space-based interceptor program. If you are an experienced launch systems engineer driven by technical excellence, complex problem-solving, and operational velocity, this is where your expertise commands center stage. If you are an experienced launch systems engineer driven by team work, technical excellence, complex problem-solving, and operational velocity, this is where your expertise commands center stage. Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It: - Lead Integrated Action Teams: Drive multidisciplinary engineering, acquisition, and operational squads to formulate bold launch strategies and guarantee total mission readiness. - Conduct Deep Technical & Acquisition Evaluations: Spearhead rigorous mission assurance reviews, risk-reduction audits, and technical trade studies on next-generation launch vehicles and space payloads. - Brief Executive Leadership: Translate complex technical, schedule, and mission-assurance data into high-impact, actionable briefings for senior military general officers and civilian agency directors. - Drive Full Mission Lifecycles: Guide and pilot world-class launch teams from initial operational concept, launch vehicle integration, and range safety all the way through countdown, ignition, and orbital deployment. .... Why You Matter: You'll be at the forefront of safeguarding America's space launch architecture, driving innovation through cross-functional collaboration and technical excellence. Your leadership will ensure our warfighters have the space-based capabilities they need-when they need them. Ideal Candidate: This position plays a vital role in supporting the United States Space Force (USSF) and the Department of War (DoW) by focusing on the sustainability and enhancement of global space launch systems. The primary responsibility of the position is to serve as the focal point for launch operations and acquisition of logistics, maintenance, supply, engineering, mission assurance, solid rocket motor operations and launch services, ensuring mission readiness and success. Experience: Applicants should have experience in engineering and/or program management or related fields, ideally within the DoW or a similar environment. Proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex programs characterized by significant uncertainties and risks is essential. Applicants must demonstrate a history of developing and implementing acquisition policies, procedures, strategic plans and source selection experience that enhance mission execution effectiveness. Experience leading/supporting integrated product teams; experience with solid rocket motor launch operations/missions, experience with implementing requirements and monitoring performance; developing cost estimates; planning/conflict resolution between many organizations; and communicating project status (written/brief) with Space Systems Command (SSC) leadership up to the General Officer Commander, PAE, Division Chief and Branch Chief levels; customer mission managers, and contractors (mission assurance/technical/mission support/launch service contractors). Establishes management controls such as milestones, expenditure rates, management indicators, and management reviews to reflect program status and provide early det…

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.

Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, 12:11 AM EST.