Sphinx Defense

Chief Engineer

El Segundo, CA · Exec

No sponsorshipDetected 6 days ago

TypeScriptCybersecuritySystems EngineeringLeadershipCommunicationCollaborationMentoringPublic Speaking

About the role

Sphinx is hiring a Chief Engineer to serve as the technical authority for a software-focused space-ground program in the SATCOM mission domain.
This role will provide engineering leadership across the full system lifecycle, guiding architecture, technical strategy, risk management, and execution while ensuring mission success for our customers.
This role is ideal for a seasoned engineering leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution, enjoys solving challenging technical problems, and can confidently influence both internal teams and external stakeholders.

Leading the development and evolution of system and ground segment architectures that support mission performance, scalability, resiliency, and long-term sustainment.
Leading the design and implementation of mission planning, resource optimization, and system architecture solutions that maximize space payload effectiveness, mission performance, and operational efficiency.
Authoring, managing, and maintaining Space-to-Ground Interface Control Documents (ICDs), ensuring compatibility between space vehicle payloads, telemetry formats, command and control interfaces and ground segment systems.
Supporting interface definition and integration activities across external partners and mission stakeholders.
Collaborating with cybersecurity teams to support RMF activities and ATO objectives.
Have experience working with modern software architectures, containerized applications, and software-intensive systems that support scalable, resilient, and mission-critical operations.
At Sphinx Defense, we are devoted to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
CLEARANCE ELIGIBILITY - This position requires eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. security clearance.

Have 12+ years of experience designing, developing, integrating, testing, or operating complex space, ground, SATCOM, or mission-critical systems.
Have 8+ years of experience with SATCOM systems, including command and control (C2), mission planning, mission management, or related mission operations capabilities.
Have significant engineering experience in software engineering, software-intensive space-ground systems engineering, or related mission-critical space and defense programs.
Have 5+ years of experience applying Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts, methodologies, and tools to system design, architecture development, and requirements management.
Have 8+ years of experience supporting commercial, government, or national security space and ground systems.
Have 5+ years of experience with cloud-based architectures, Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) environments, or open architecture standards.
Have 8+ years of experience leading technical teams, engineering organizations, or multidisciplinary project teams.
Have experience supporting and executing major program milestone reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, FCA, or equivalent systems engineering reviews.
Possess a strong understanding of systems engineering principles, lifecycle processes, requirements management, and digital engineering practices.
Demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence teams across organizational boundaries.

Expect talented, motivated, and interesting colleagues who emphasize collaboration, transparency, and individual responsibility.

This role is between $225,000 and $290,000 base salary.
includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

Compensation includes competitive salary, meaningful equity ownership, profit sharing, employer 401(k) contribution, and 100% employer covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.

Partnering with customers, program leadership, engineering team, and embedded subcontractor personnel to translate mission needs into practical technical solutions and drive cohesive technical execution across the program.

This listing is sourced directly from Sphinx Defense's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.