Operations Integrator

Space Systems Integration (SSI) is a fast-growing engineering company that provides aerospace solutions to a variety of government and commercial customers.  Our employees are forward-thinking, self-directed individuals who are committed to solving our customers’ technical challenges.

SSI is seeking a Software Product Manager for a role in Colorado Springs, CO.  

This role requires an experienced software product professional who can bridge operational users, government program offices, systems engineering organizations, software development teams, test organizations, acquisition professionals, and mission partners. You will represent the user throughout the product lifecycle, translating mission needs into product vision, prioritized capabilities, actionable development work, and fielded software outcomes.

Role and Responsibilities include: Engage directly with operators and mission partners to understand mission needs, workflows, pain points, capability gaps, and desired outcomes, and translate those needs into a clear product vision, measurable objectives, product requirements, features, and development priorities. Own or support development and continuous refinement of product roadmaps that connect operational priorities to software increments, releases, milestones, dependencies, testing, deployment, and modernization activities. Prioritize product features, capabilities, initiatives, and Agile backlogs based on mission value, user impact, technical feasibility, risk, dependencies, and program priorities; identify execution issues and provide actionable recommendations to product and program leadership. Create, refine, and manage product initiatives, epics, features, user needs, and milestone tickets in Jira and related tools, maintaining traceability from the operational problem through development, test, deployment, and user acceptance. Facilitate frequent developer-user engagements, discovery sessions, demonstrations, design reviews, and feedback activities to support user-centered design and ensure the user perspective is maintained throughout software development and delivery. Coordinate product participation in developmental and operational test events, exercises, mission rehearsals, demonstrations, and release activities to evaluate usability, mission utility, readiness, and achievement of intended user outcomes. Perform or support technical planning, high-level and detailed requirements definition, software systems analysis, product baseline development, and technical coordination for software systems and subsystems. Support release planning and software lifecycle execution by synchronizing product priorities with development capacity, system dependencies, cybersecurity, infrastructure, integration, test, training, fielding, and operational readiness considerations. Apply knowledge of the Software Acquisition Pathway, Agile, DevSecOps, and continuous delivery practices to support iterative product development, rapid user feedback, automated delivery pipelines, and frequent delivery of operationally relevant software increments. Develop polished presentation materials, product status briefings, roadmaps, decision products, and strategic communications that clearly tell the story of the user need, product vision, execution status, risks, and expected operational outcome. Adaptable professional with demonstrated success in navigating dynamic, fast-paced environments while maintaining focus, meeting deadlines, and delivering quality results in evolving priorities and organizational needs.

Required Qualifications: A Bachelor's degree with 14+ years of relevant experience, or Master's with 12+ years, or PhD with 10+ years of experience in space operations, command and control, systems engineering, acquisition, software integration, or related Department of Defense (DoD) mission areas.

At least three years of experience supporting a tactical space operations unit, operational command-and-control organization, or comparable space mission environment.

Ability to translate operator needs and mission workflows into clear technical, programmatic, and test requirements and to communicate technical issues back to operational users.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration/project-management tools such as Jira and Confluence.

Strong written and oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively across diverse operational, technical, acquisition, and leadership teams.

Active TS clearance with in-scope T5/SSBI is required, along with SCI eligibility and participation in Continuous Evaluation.

Must meet all requirements for SCI and SAP access and be willing to undergo a polygraph examination.

Travel is 25%.

Desired Qualifications: Experience providing operations expertise to requirements development, system design, test, systems integration, fielding, or operational analysis activities.

Knowledge of DoD software acquisition practices, including familiarity with the Software Acquisition Pathway and DoDI 5000.87, and an understanding of DevOps/Agile delivery practices.

Prior operations experience at the National Space Defense Center (NSDC) or direct experience supporting NSDC missions and operational workflows.

Familiarity with United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), Joint Task Force-Space Defense (JTF-SD), or associated space defense mission organizations and command relationships.

Experience with operational-level command and control of terrestrial and/or on-orbit space defense capabilities.

Demonstrated leadership of or close integration with software development, systems engineering, test, or cross-functional product teams.

Experience supporting exercises, mission rehearsals, training, war games, operational test events, or capability demonstrations involving space C2 or space defense missions.

Strong problem-solving, risk-management, and organizational skills with experience coordinating multiple stakeholders, dependencies, releases, and operational transition activities concurrently.

Space Systems Integration provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.