USSF OTTI Chief Engineer

Join General Dynamics IT and be a part of a team that solve some of the world's most complex technical challenges. We are seeking a Chief Engineer to build infrastructure for the USSF Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) in Colorado Springs, CO.

NOTE: This is a proposal position and considered a Key Personnel (KP) role on the program. Award is expected in Summer 2026.

Position Summary: 

The Chief Engineer for USSF OTTI serves as the senior technical authority for the Operational Test and Training Infrastructure program, responsible for defining, governing, and executing the overall technical architecture and engineering strategy across the OTTI ecosystem. This role ensures integrated, scalable, secure, and mission-aligned delivery of OTTI’s distributed digital test, training, and synthetic environment capabilities supporting U.S. Space Force readiness. 

The Chief Engineer provides technical leadership across all engineering domains—including cloud, DevSecOps, digital engineering, AI/data, synthetic environments, cyber, and systems integration—and acts as the principal technical advisor to Government and contractor leadership. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Technical Leadership & Architecture Authority 

• Serve as the senior technical authority for all OTTI architecture, engineering, and integration decisions.  
• Define and maintain the OTTI technical baseline, architecture roadmap, and engineering strategy.  
• Ensure technical alignment across all program workstreams, integrated product teams, and subcontractors.  
• Chair technical review boards, architecture working groups, and engineering governance forums.  

Systems-of-Systems Integration:

• Lead end-to-end technical integration across OTTI components including:  
  • Hybrid/Cloud Infrastructure  
  • DevSecOps / Platform Engineering  
  • Digital Engineering / MBSE  
  • AI/ML / Data Platforms  
  • Synthetic Training / LVC Environments  
  • Distributed Test & Training Systems  
  • Cyber / Zero Trust / RMF  
  • Ensure interoperability across mission systems, simulation environments, and operational platforms.  

Customer Technical Advisory: 

• Serve as principal technical advisor to USSF/SSC/STARCOM/OTTI Government leadership.  
• Advise on technical modernization roadmap, innovation adoption, and architectural trade studies.  
• Support customer technical planning, roadmap development, and mission engineering alignment.  

Engineering Governance & Quality: 

• Establish and enforce engineering standards, design patterns, and technical processes.  
• Lead architecture/design reviews and ensure technical quality across deliverables.  
• Oversee technical risk identification, mitigation, and issue resolution.  
• Ensure compliance with applicable security, RMF, and architectural requirements.  

Innovation & Technology Strategy: 

• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption/integration strategies.  
• Drive continuous modernization of OTTI technical capabilities.  
• Champion reusable platform/service design and technical debt reduction.  

Team Leadership / Mentorship: 

• Mentor engineering leads, architects, and technical SMEs.  
• Foster engineering excellence, innovation, and knowledge sharing.  
• Support technical staffing, recruiting, and workforce development.  

Required Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or related technical field (Master’s preferred).  
• 15+ years of progressive engineering/technical leadership experience on complex DoD/IC/Federal programs.  
• 10+ years in senior architecture/chief engineer/technical director roles.  
• Demonstrated experience architecting and integrating large-scale enterprise or mission systems.  
• Experience leading systems-of-systems engineering across multiple technical domains.  
• Experience supporting classified/secure mission environments and DoD cybersecurity requirements.  
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (or ability to obtain).  

Desired Qualifications: 

• Direct experience supporting USSF, SSC, STARCOM, SpOC, or related Space Enterprise organizations.  
• Experience with operational test/training systems, synthetic environments, digital ranges, or LVC architectures.  
• Familiarity with:  
• Hybrid/Multi-Cloud Architectures  
• Kubernetes / Platform Engineering / DevSecOps  
• AI/ML / Data Engineering / Analytics Platforms  
• Digital Engineering / MBSE / Digital Thread  
• Zero Trust / RMF / Continuous ATO  
• Distributed Edge / Tactical Compute Environments  
• INCOSE CSEP/ESEP, Cloud Architect, SAFe, or equivalent certifications preferred.  

Key Success Attributes: 

• Strategic and systems-level technical thinker  
• Strong customer-facing technical leadership and executive communication skills  
• Ability to integrate diverse engineering disciplines into cohesive architectures  
• Strong engineering governance and quality mindset  
• Innovative mindset with focus on modernization and mission outcomes

 WHAT CAN GDIT OFFER YOU?

• Excellent customizable health benefits (Medical, Dental and Vision)
• 401K with company match
• Educational Assistance and eLearning
• Flexible work week
• Internal mobility team dedicated to employee advancement
• Rewards and Recognition programs
• Innovative and collaborative environment encouraging of highly motivated critical thinking