Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Principal Investigator (PI): Senior Level Mission Engineer-Embedded

Job ID: 7784
Date Posted: May 4, 2026
Space Dynamics Laboratory (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.

In this critical role, you will support the SWP Director in his role as SWAC Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications (NC3) Principal Investigator (PI). In this role, the SWP Director will be the lead POC for community engagement, is entrusted with intellectual leadership, integration of multi-program analyses, and codification of SWAC's collective insights. You will act as a trusted advisor supporting/assisting the Director in overseeing a team of analysts, engineers and support staff in defining and advocating for cutting-edge force design concepts for future warfighter capability. You will work closely with SWP Director, external partners, and a talented team of scientists, analysts, and engineers.

This position requires a candidate with a strong background in managing and developing complex space systems, specifically with expertise in NC3 architecture and how space systems support this mission area. The successful applicant will manage the day-to-day force design analysis for the NC3 PI, 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.

The Strategic & Military Space Division of SDL delivers advanced satellite and sensor systems that support the Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community. Our division is a key component of national security, providing technological solutions and expert mission support. Become part of a team dedicated to making a tangible contribution to our nation's defense capabilities.

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 and how they integrate with the NC3 architecture.
• 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: Masters in a specialized engineering field (Electrical/Systems/Aerospace) and 18+ years of relevant experience OR BS in a core engineering discipline and 20+ years of relevant experience.
• 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.

• A PhD in a core or specialized engineering discipline and/or 19+ years of advanced analytical experience within the NC3 mission area is highly desired.
• Comprehensive expertisein NC3 dependencies on space architectures, specifically to advise and support the USSF SWP Director in their capacity as the NC3 Principal Investigator.

• Advanced knowledgeof the NC3 mission area, coupled with proven experience in evaluating resilient space architecture solutions and developing countermeasures against adversarial threats.

• Extensive operational experiencewith United States Space Force (USSF) space architectures and their broader Department of War (DoW) applications, with a distinct focus on how these systems enable the DoW NC3 mission area.
• A demonstrated record of success managing high-tempo projects and delivering results under pressure.

Salary Range
$189,000 - $250,000

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 posting 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 supports a variety of missions, including NASA's vision to reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind and the Department of Defense's aim to protect our Nation on the ground, in the air, and in space. Our sensors, satellites, software systems, and science and engineering play an essential role in some important missions you've heard of, and others that you haven't. Join our team in our seventh decade of delivering mission success.

At SDL, we 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.