Project Lead - Space Operations

SMDC Project Lead (Space Operations)
Full-time
Colorado Springs, CO (Carson/Peterson)

Salary Range: $165,000 - $210,000 commensurate with qualifications

Position Summary

We are seeking a Project Lead with U.S. Army or Air Force Space Operations experience to lead planning, integration, and delivery of space and missile defense capabilities in support of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) programs in Colorado. The ideal candidate blends space operations expertise (SATCOM, Joint Space Planning, Space Interdiction, PNT resiliency) with project/program leadership across the DoW acquisition lifecycle, driving schedule, budget, risk, and stakeholder outcomes. You will coordinate cross-functional engineering teams, operational users, and government stakeholders to realize mission-ready capabilities aligned to SMDC and joint space enterprise priorities.

What You'll Do

Program/Project Leadership

• Support integrated project planning, execution, and delivery (scope, schedule, cost, quality) using industry-standard methods (e.g., EVMS, IMS, risk management, change control).
• Build and maintain Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), resource plans, and milestone baselines; lead weekly tempo, PMRs, and executive briefs.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration (systems, software, test, cyber, logistics) to meet contractual and mission objectives.

Space Operations & Mission Integration

• Serve as the Space Operations SME for Army and joint stakeholders, translating operational needs into technical requirements and CONOPS.
• Lead integration and assessment of SATCOM, Joint Space Planning, Space Interdiction, PNT resiliency, and space domain awareness capabilities within Army formations and joint architectures.
• Coordinate with SMDC, USSPACECOM, USSTRATCOM, Combatant Commands, and Army organizations to align TTPs, training, and operational readiness.
• Assess space threat environments and incorporate resiliency, EA considerations, and contested/capacity-constrained scenarios into planning, test and training.
• Provide operational expertise to integrated teams developing virtual augmented training capabilities for space operations at echelon but scalable to individual certification.
• Support Model & Simulation integration of current and future space interdiction and planning tools (nK effects into the kinetic exercise environment)

Acquisition & Requirements

• Lead programs through the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, including requirements generation, AoA, technology maturation, prototyping, testing, and fielding.
• Develop and refine Army/Joint requirements and technical documentation, including ICDs, CDDs, CPDs, specifications, verification strategies, and T&E plans across DT and OT.
• Coordinate with contracting, logistics, and program management to develop RFPs/RFQs, SOWs, CDRLs, and performance requirements; support proposal evaluations and contractor performance oversight.

Systems Engineering & MBSE Alignment

• Ensure traceability across requirements, architecture, design, and V&V using MBSE where applicable (Cameo, SysML).
• Lead technical risk management (technical performance measures, interface control, cybersecurity compliance, DAFAR/DFARS constraints).
• Oversee integration events, wargames/exercises, lab/field tests, and mission threads validation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain trusted relationships with government PMs, user communities, and leadership; deliver clear, concise decision-quality briefings.
• Prepare and present readout packages (reviews, milestones, gates) to internal and external audiences.

Compliance & Governance

• Uphold security, export/ITAR, and CMMC/NIST 800-171 compliance.
• Ensure accurate reporting and deliverables (CDRLs, EV, risk registers, IMP/IMS, TEMs) are timely and audit-ready.

Travel: ~10-20% (CONUS; occasional OCONUS possible)

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in STEM, operations research, management, or relevant field.
• U.S. citizenship and an Active Secret clearance; ability to obtain/maintain TS/SCI.
• Space Operations experience (e.g., prior assignment, Space Cadre, Space 200/300 or equivalent training).
• 8-10+ years combined experience in space operations, missile defense, or joint/Army integration.
• Proven project/program management leadership in DoD environments (schedule, cost, risk, EVMS, stakeholder management).
• Working knowledge of emerging and expedited Army acquisition methods, test & evaluation, and fielding/transition processes (DOTMLPFP).
• Technical familiarity with SATCOM, Joint Space Planning, Space Interdiction, PNT resiliency, and space-enabled mission threads.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to brief senior leaders and translate complex technical/operational issues into actionable plans.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in STEM, operations research, management, or relevant field.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience with SMDC, USSPACECOM, USSTRATCOM, PAE Fires, or Redstone Arsenal-based programs.
• Experience conducting wargaming/exercises, mission thread validation, experimentation, training or operational test events.
• Prior leadership of multi-contractor, multi-agency teams and complex integration efforts.

We Take Care of Our People

Whether you're looking to launch a new career or grow an existing one, Trideum is the type of company where you can balance great work with great life because we believe that taking care of our people is the right thing to do. Trideum offers:

• Competitive pay based on the work you do here and not your previous salary.
• Traditional benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401k matching.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Paid leave and the ability to cash out leave.
• Free access to certified financial planners, wellness and support services, and discount programs.
• Education assistance and professional development opportunities.
• And much more.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. People with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation to apply or compete for employment with Trideum may request such accommodation(s) by contacting Human Resources at 256.704.6123 or HR@trideum.com .