Foreign Military Sales Lead Engineer
Los Angeles, CAFull-time$147–197K/yrPosted today
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At a glance
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Requirements
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Job overview
Space Systems Command is seeking a senior-level Foreign Military Sales Engineering Lead to direct technical development, integration, and feasibility for national security space mission architectures. The role oversees engineering activities for FMS space acquisition programs, advises senior leadership, and represents the organization in Department of War and interagency engagements. The ideal candidate has extensive defense program engineering experience, space systems expertise, and strong communication and consensus-building abilities.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
Summary
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) Space Systems Command (SSC) Systems Delta 89 (SYD 89) at Los Angeles Air Force Base, California is searching for a Foreign Military Sales Lead Engineer (NH-0801-04, GS 14/15 equivalent). Description: Space Systems Command (SSC) is seeking a proactive, senior-level Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Engineering Lead to serve as the overarching technical authority directing the development, integration, and feasibility of critical national security space mission architectures. In this high-impact position, the selected leader will oversee complex engineering activities for FMS space acquisition programs, advise senior leadership, and represent the organization in high-level engagements across the Department of War (DoW) and interagency partners to ensure delivered solutions effectively meet warfighter needs. Ideal candidates will possess deep expertise in defense systems acquisition, a passion for advancing military space power, and the ability to operate under a flexible Satellite Agency Worksite (SAW) agreement if located near other United States Air Force or United States Space Force installations. The ideal candidate is an accomplished engineering professional with a STEM bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution, an active Top Secret/SCI security clearance (or the immediate capability to obtain one), and a minimum of 10 years of defense program engineering experience heavily focused on space mission and systems-level architectures. This highly competitive technical leader brings a comprehensive understanding of multidisciplinary engineering concepts, hands-on experience in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) engineering management-specifically advising on the acquisition and releasability of critical space mission system components-and either possesses or can readily acquire a Practitioner Level Certification in Engineering and Technical Management. Exceptionally skilled in both written and oral communication, they must excel at evaluating and integrating cutting-edge technological advancements into system development while seamlessly building consensus, resolving complex conflicts, and representing the organization effectively among diverse Department of War (DoW), interagency, and international stakeholders. Key Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of a wide range of advanced multidisciplinary professional engineering concepts, principles, practices, standards, methods, and techniques to apply experimental theories and new developments to problems not susceptible to treatment by accepted methods, and to plan and execute specialized programs of marked difficulty, responsibility, and significance. Knowledge of the mission, roles, functions, organizational structure, and operation of the DoD, Air Force, and organizations that govern, interface with, and/or influence systems acquisition, development, and/or sustainment, and knowledge of planning, programming, and budgeting cycles, financial systems, and restrictions on expenditure of funds. Knowledge of and skill in evaluating state-of-the-art and advancements in theory, application, technology, and policy affecting systems being developed, and in planning, organizing, and directing the functions and staff in critical aspects of development, production, and/or support of systems, subsystems, or equipment. Knowledge of safety, security, personnel management, and EEO regulations, practices, and procedures. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus and coalitions, negotiating, and resolving conflicts with a variety of individuals and organizations as well as communicating effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the functions of an organization, and mentor, motivate, and appraise the staff through subordinate personnel as well as analyze, plan, and adjust work operations of one or more organizational segments to meet program requirements and objectives within available resources. 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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here: Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position. Other Information
Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.
How this job compares
Set against the 6,955 open Engineering jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 14, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$147–197K/yr
- California median$132–200K/yr604 salary ranges
- US median$112–175K/yr3,660 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $172K, is close to the California median midpoint ($170K) — in the middle half of Engineering salary ranges in California.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 905 open Engineering jobs in California and 6,955 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in California
- Northrop Grumman59 open
- General Atomics30 open
- Accenture25 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 10 years of experience; Engineering postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (4,810 postings).
- Education
- This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 3,411 of the 6,955 open Engineering jobs (49%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 14, 2026. Figures based on too few postings are left out.
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