The posting
Overview
Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.
The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.!
The Space Systems Group (SSG), part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, provides timely and objective assessments and recommendations integrating technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis. We focus on our key clients in the Space community including the US Space Force’s Space Systems Command (USSF/SSC), one of the three designated Field Commands under USSF. We work tirelessly to provide integrated solutions based on information and communications throughout the chain of command. We provide clear and consistent analysis and recommendations which are aligned to strategic and leadership goals while balancing the ability to execute on time and on budget within the technical communities. Come join an organization responsible for being a key enabler of Spacepower!
SPA has a near-term need for a Chief Engineer for Signal Processing, RF Engineering, Modeling & Simulation, Architecture Development, and Predictive Sustainment Analytics
Responsibilities
The Chief Engineer serves as the senior technical authority for a complex portfolio of RF‑driven, sensing, and communication‑dependent systems requiring deep expertise in electromagnetics, signal processing, modeling and simulation (MS&A), architecture development, and predictive sustainment. This role leads end‑to‑end engineering activities across system characterization, architecture evaluation, digital engineering, lifecycle performance analysis, and integration of validated technical enhancements. The successful candidate applies broad and multidisciplinary engineering expertise—spanning electrical, software, mechanical, and logistics domains—to ensure that all engineering solutions are technically rigorous, analytically defensible, and fully traceable to program requirements. The Chief Engineer mentors cross-functional engineering teams and provides authoritative guidance on modeling, system analysis, RF design, sensing performance, architecture development, and sustainment engineering.
Electromagnetics & RF Engineering (Advanced)
- Apply deep understanding of Maxwell’s equations, wave propagation, reflection/refraction, transmission-line theory, and near‑field vs far‑field phenomena.
- Guide modeling of antennas, RF propagation environments, pattern characteristics, gain/directivity tradeoffs, and link budget performance.
- Evaluate and oversee RF component behavior including amplifiers (P1dB, IP3), mixers, oscillators (phase noise), and filter characteristics.
- Lead analysis of nonlinear effects such as intermodulation, harmonic distortion, compression, and saturation impacts on system performance.
Signals & Systems / Signal Processing
- Apply advanced knowledge of Fourier analysis, convolution, linear systems, sampling theory, aliasing, and noise theory.
- Oversee algorithm design and technical review of detection/estimation methods, time/frequency domain processing, wideband processing chains, and waveform analysis.
- Evaluate receiver sensitivity, dynamic range, bandwidth tradeoffs, digital receiver architectures, and direction-finding methodologies (e.g., phase interferometry, TDOA, amplitude comparison).
3. Modeling, Simulation & Analysis (MS&A)
- Direct MS&A activities that assess system interactions, mission threads, performance behavior, and architecture resilience under varied scenarios.
- Define MOEs, MOPs, analytical assumptions, and scenario baselines; ensure structured analytical rigor and traceability.
- Validate modeling methods and maintain authoritative models and analytical baselines within digital engineering environments.
System Architecture Assessment & Development
- Lead engineering assessments of mission and system architecture performance—interoperability, resiliency, survivability, and lifecycle characteristics.
- Develop future‑state architecture concepts, MBSE artifacts, interface definitions, and operational/functional/logical/physical views.
- Identify capability gaps and shape modernization strategies, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and long-term sustainment needs.
Advanced Communications & SATCOM Fundamentals
- Evaluate orbital regime impacts (LEO/MEO/GEO) on RF link performance, latency, Doppler, and FSPL calculations.
- Perform link budget analyses including EIRP, G/T, C/N0, Eb/N0, and link margin considerations.
- Assess effects of atmospheric attenuation, rain fade, multipath, and polarization on system behavior.
- Support design and analysis of modulation schemes (QPSK, 8PSK, QAM), FEC codes (Viterbi, LDPC, Turbo), adaptive coding and modulation, and multiple access strategies (FDMA/TDMA/CDMA).
- Evaluate anti-interference techniques such as spread-spectrum methods, adaptive/nulling antennas, and interference detection/mitigation strategies.
Predictive Sustainment & Reliability Engineering
- Lead development of predictive sustainment models including degradation trend analysis, reliability metrics, anomaly detection, and maintenance forecasting.
- Integrate validated AI/ML techniques to enhance transparency, repeatability, and engineering decision-making.
- Guide lifecycle performance evaluations to improve readiness, optimize maintenance, and reduce long-term sustainment risks.
Technology Integration
- Provide engineering leadership for integrating new capabilities into complex system baselines, ensuring interface compatibility and configuration discipline.
- Oversee verification, validation, interoperability testing, and technical transition planning.
Programmatic, Cross‑Functional, and User-Focused Leadership
- Apply broad system engineering fundamentals spanning electrical, software, mechanical, and logistics disciplines.
- Translate complex technical risks into actionable guidance for program managers, logisticians, sustainment personnel, and leadership.
- Partner closely with user communities to connect field issues with engineering solutions, including work with small-vendor ecosystems and legacy systems.
- Demonstrate comfort with ambiguity, incomplete data, and technical uncertainty while driving sound engineering decisions.
- Mentor engineering teams, lead technical reviews, and foster collaboration across disciplines and organizations.
Qualifications
About the Must Haves
- US Citizenship with active Secret or TS/SCI and ability to obtain SAP
- Degree in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Applied Physics, Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
- 15+ years of experience in RF systems, signal processing, sensing technologies, or mission/system modeling
- Demonstrated expertise leading MS&A activities and architecture-level engineering assessments
- Experience with digital engineering, MBSE, model validation, and configuration‑controlled system baselines
- Strong background in reliability engineering, predictive analytics, or condition-based maintenance
- Proven experience supporting multi-disciplinary hardware/software system development, integration, and sustainment
About the Desired
- INCOSE ASEP, CSEP, or equivalent certifications
- Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience with enterprise modeling tools, digital engineering workflows, or architecture modeling
- Experience supporting defense, space, or mission-critical system environments
- Familiarity with acquisition engineering documentation and technical reviews
- Experience leading complex engineering workstreams, trade studies, or capability assessments
Pay Range Information
At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Colorado, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $200,000.00/Yr. - USD $290,000.00/Yr.
