The Ground Data Systems and Services Organization is responsible for the architecture, development, deployment, and operation of Ground Data Systems (GDS) across all customer programs. We provide secure, scalable, and standardized solutions for the Commercial Civil Space line of business, serving as a centralized hub of engineering expertise that enables mission success through innovative, cost-competitive technologies and services.
This role is for a staff-level Systems Engineer to serve as the GDS Test Lead, overseeing requirements verification and validation, test campaigns, and integration for the GDS organization within the Orion program. The position supports NASA's Artemis missions—Artemis 3, 4, 5, and future missions in development.
The Test Lead will support verification and validation campaigns for big data tools and a data lake software architecture, along with several hardware integration and stand-up efforts. The role also provides secondary support for maintaining command-line, GUI-based, and web-based applications that perform spacecraft telemetry data processing and analysis. Additionally, the Test Lead serves as dedicated anomaly troubleshooting support, working in real time with on-call engineers to resolve ground system anomalies efficiently. All tasks require close collaboration with software developers, architects, and end users, as well as responsiveness to their feedback. Candidates may travel (<25% of the time) to support on-console and on-call operational activities during critical mission events, testing campaigns, and key integration efforts.
Responsibilities:
- Develop software code, unit tests, and integration tests for a full-stack data lake product supporting spacecraft test, analysis, and operations.
- Write, validate, and execute GDS test procedures, and lead test teams and campaigns for mission operations, hardware integration, and software releases.
- Automate manual processes across unit, functional, and integration testing to drive operational efficiency for the GDS team.
- Coordinate with GDS teammates and systems/subsystem engineers to define and refine interface requirements through design, test, and operations.
- Troubleshoot deployed ground system hardware, operating systems, and networks, serving as the dedicated systems integration liaison across multiple teams to drive anomaly resolution.
- Participate in requirements baselining and development, and lead verification and validation efforts across both hardware and software domains.
- Lead operational support to spacecraft teams in deployed environments—spanning internally developed and third-party ground software—including real-time dataflows, data management, querying, command-building tools, and analysis tools.
- Investigate opportunities to integrate AI into test engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, and operations workflows.
The information below reflects the standard job description for this position:
Performs technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems. Analyses are performed at all levels of total system product to include: concept, design, fabrication, test, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal. Ensures the logical and systematic conversion of customer or product requirements into total systems solutions that acknowledge technical, schedule, and cost constraints. Performs functional analysis, timeline analysis, detail trade studies, requirements allocation and interface definition studies to translate customer requirements into hardware and software specifications. For positions that perform IT responsibilities, use E646, Systems Engr-IT.
- Proficiency in software development, testing, and system integration.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and concisely to teammates, management, and customers at all levels.
- Strong user-support skills, with the ability to directly address user concerns.
- Independent problem-solving skills.
- Experience with Linux environments and comfort with basic Unix commands, utilities, and system administration activities.
- Experience working under an Agile framework (i.e. Scrum)
- Experience using Automation Framework
- Active Lockheed Martin Certified Test Conductor (CTC) certification
- Experience using OS/COMET
- Project management skills involving multiple teams and project schedule development
- Demonstrated experience supporting multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience with Cradle and/or DOORS
- Proficiency in Python, especially with the Pandas, Plotly, and Bokeh libraries
- Knowledge of Ceph, Redis, and/or S3
- Experience working with spacecraft telemetry
- Experience solving big data problems
- Experience with web application development, including RESTful services, web frontends, and integration with web servers, databases, and messaging platforms
- Experience with Jupyter Notebooks for GUI development
- Experience with container and cloud-based technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Experience with networking and installation of cloud systems requiring 24-hour uptime
- Experience working with and performing system administration tasks
- Experience leading a test team
- Experience developing software for spacecraft operations, including telemetry, data processing, and data analysis
- Experience working with NASA, specifically Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and/or Johnson Space Center (JSC)
- Experience with Ground Data Systems in support of spacecraft operations
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118000.00 - $219100.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market(work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
Skills Required
- Proficiency in software development, testing, and system integration
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong user-support skills
- Independent problem-solving skills
- Experience with Linux environments and basic Unix commands, utilities, and system administration
- Experience working under an Agile framework, such as Scrum
- Experience using automation frameworks
- Active Lockheed Martin Certified Test Conductor certification
- Experience using OS/COMET
- Project management and project schedule development experience
- Experience supporting multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience with Cradle and/or DOORS
- Proficiency in Python, especially Pandas, Plotly, and Bokeh
- Knowledge of Ceph, Redis, and/or S3
- Experience working with spacecraft telemetry
- Experience solving big data problems
- Experience with web application development, RESTful services, web frontends, web servers, databases, and messaging platforms
- Experience with Jupyter Notebooks for GUI development
- Experience with container and cloud technologies, including Docker and Kubernetes
- Experience with networking and installation of cloud systems requiring 24-hour uptime
- Experience performing system administration tasks
- Experience leading a test team
- Experience developing spacecraft operations software for telemetry, data processing, and data analysis
- Experience working with NASA, particularly Kennedy Space Center and/or Johnson Space Center
- Experience with Ground Data Systems supporting spacecraft operations
Lockheed Martin Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Lockheed Martin and has not been reviewed or approved by Lockheed Martin.
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Retirement Support — Retirement benefits are described as a standout element, with a strong 401(k) program and options like an employee stock purchase plan. Feedback suggests these features meaningfully enhance total compensation and long‑term financial security.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is portrayed as comprehensive from day one, with multiple plan options, mental health resources, and virtual care. Wellness supports such as on‑site services and preventive programs are also highlighted.
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Flexible Benefits — Work arrangements often include compressed schedules and telework, contributing to a favorable work‑life balance. Feedback suggests this flexibility is a key reason many view the overall package positively.
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