Software Systems Engineer Senior Staff (Level 5)

System Performance, SW, and Simulation Lead 
 Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more — we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.   At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We’re creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security® vision. We’re erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We’re advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation.   Space Protection Programs seeks a seasoned technical leader to head the System Performance, Software, and Simulation (S3) group on a development program. The S3 lead will direct six inter‑related teams—software, test beds, mission‑performance/analysis, and modeling & simulation—serving as the Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead to ensure delivery of qualified software that meets mission requirements on schedule and budget. The role spans multiple program lifecycles, aligning priorities with enterprise timelines, and providing strategic technical assessments, capability roadmaps, and close partnership with the customer to define solution approaches.   Key Technical Responsibilities: Integration & Release Leadership – Define and enforce an integration plan that ensures each increment is “release‑ready” (ready for integration, test, and deployment) across the S3 domain. Drive alignment of FSW, GNC, and M&S deliverables within each sprint and ISP cycle Technical Architecture & Road ‑ Mapping – Develop and maintain the technical architecture and capability roadmap for S3, aligning mission‑level requirements with the software, algorithm, and simulation capabilities FSW, GNC & M&S Expertise – Provide hands‑on guidance on flight‑software development, guidance‑navigation‑control algorithm implementation, and high‑fidelity modelling‑and‑simulation. Review code, simulation models, and verification plans to ensure technical integrity as needed End ‑ to ‑ End Verification & Validation (V&V) – Drive the teams from design through V&V lifecycle for software and simulation artifacts, coordinating unit, integration, and system‑level testing. Ensure each release meets defined performance, capabilities, and reliability criteria before ISP completion Technical Trade Studies & Risk Mitigation – Prioritize and conduct trades and feasibility studies for new capabilities, assess schedule/technical risk, and propose mitigation strategies that preserve functional delivery cadence across all teams Cross ‑ Discipline Communication – Serve as the primary technical liaison among software, algorithm, simulation, and mission‑performance teams; translate technical constraints and dependencies into actionable ISP goals with the teams Customer & Stakeholder Interface – Present technical status, trade results, and release plans to internal and external customers, tailoring communication for both high‑level program forums and detailed technical reviews   Leadership & Business Interaction Act as Integrated Product Team (IPT) technical lead, focusing on technical deliverables Participate in contract execution, proposal support, and new‑business shaping where technical insight is required. Basic Qualifications 
 Significant software and systems engineering experience in at least one of the following domains: Flight‑software (FSW) development Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) or Sensor processing algorithm design & implementation High‑fidelity 6DOF modelling & simulation Terran Orbital Architecture Knowledge or experience participating with software qualification campaigns (including unit, integration, and