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Senior Defense Technologist – Space
Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 18 Aug 2026
💰 $210,000/yr($180,000/yr – $210,000/yr)
About the role
MTSI is seeking a Senior Defense Technologist specializing in the space domain, you will help the Department understand how next-generation space systems and architectures enhance joint operations, deterrence, global awareness, and resilience. You will provide deep technical insight, strategic awareness, and cross-domain understanding to ensure emerging capabilities align with future operational needs and can be integrated into mission-level constructions. This position is located in the National Capital Region (NCR).
You’ll be a great fit for this role if:
- You’re Mission-Driven: You are motivated by strengthening space capabilities that underpin U.S. national security.
- You Think Across Domains: You understand how space systems integrate with air, land, maritime, and cyber systems to support joint warfighting needs.
- You Work Well in Ambiguity: You can identify technology pathways and operational implications even when requirements are evolving.
- You Communicate with Influence: You can translate complex technical insights into clear, operationally meaningful outcomes and brief senior leaders confidently.
- You Lead with Collaboration: You work seamlessly with engineering, analysts, operators, and senior government officials.
Responsibilities:
- The successful candidate will provide advanced technical expertise, operational insights, and strategic awareness of space systems and architectures.
- Your essential job functions will include but may not be limited to:
- Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on space systems, architectures, and mission areas.
- Provide technical and operational assessments of space capabilities and their integration into joint and coalition operations.
- Advise on the role of current and emerging space technologies and how they contribute to mission outcomes.
- Support mission engineering, future-force design, and integrated architecture development for space and multi-domain operations.
- Evaluate technology feasibility, performance, readiness, applicability, and operational relevance.
- Collaborate with analysts conducting modeling, simulation, and campaign-level assessments to ensure space contributions are adequately represented.
- Identify and communicate space capability gaps, opportunities, risks, and technology transition pathways.
- Engage with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Services, and OSW stakeholders to support investment prioritization.
- Contribute to the development of concepts of operations, requirements, and mission threads for future space missions.
- Develop and deliver high-quality briefings, technical documents, and senior-level recommendations.
- Ensure adherence to classification, disclosure, and security protocols across all activities.
Qualifications Required:
- 15 years of experience in roles involving:
- Development, assessment, or integration of advanced space systems, architectures, or mission capabilities.
- Research, planning, and execution of technical projects relevant to space missions.
- Applying innovating engineering, analytical, or scientific methodologies to space-related operational problems.
- Supporting DoW stakeholders (e.g., Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Military Services, or OSW) on capability development and technical decision-making.
- Evaluating space technologies for operational utility, effectiveness, and transition potential.
Education:
- Master’s degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Preferred: Doctoral/Terminal degree in physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or a related technical discipline.
Even better if you have these desired skills:
- Experience transitioning advanced space technologies from R&D into operational use.
- Background supporting joint, service, or Combatant Command space planning or analysis.
- Understanding of space domain mission areas, architectures, and supporting ground and cross-domain systems.
- Ability to lead complex technical discussions across diverse teams, including engineers, analysts, and senior government officials.
- Experience contributing to mission engineering or architecture development processes.
- Joint/Combatant Command staff experience (highly preferred).
Clearance Requirements:
An active Top Secret (TS) security clearance (with SCI and SAP/CAP eligibility) is required.
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