Principal Systems Engineer - Mission Architecture

Description

The company builds rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems, with the aim of extending human reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

The Space Systems team builds complete spacecraft, precision payloads, and subsystems such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, and radios.

The team has supported more than 1,700 missions, from interplanetary exploration and in-space manufacturing to national security and defense work, and has built hardware for Moon and Mars missions with NASA, the Space Development Agency, and the U.S. Space Force.

This role is based at the company's global headquarters in Long Beach, CA. The principal systems engineer leads the formulation of new satellite systems to help win civil, national security, and commercial business.

You will support the Vice President of Business Development and Strategy and the wider Space Systems Business Development group, preparing deliverables for company leadership, the board of directors, and investors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the satellite engineering formulation that supports business development and wins new opportunities.
• Build and maintain technical budgets for vehicle performance.
• Define system requirements, set verification methods, and validate customer requirements.
• Run simulations and analysis across vehicle functions.
• Plan and carry out tests, and analyze the resulting data.
• Manage the overall systems engineering process.
• Lead and own the technical development of spacecraft missions.
• Help with program and product management.
• Write interface specifications, CONOPS definitions, and other design documents with your team.
• Work directly with customers and internal leaders to shape requirements and write the core architecture for key proposals.

Requirements

• Hold a bachelor's degree in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline).
• Have 12+ years of experience in the aerospace industry.
• Have experience supporting satellite or spacecraft development programs.
• Be able to obtain and keep a TS/SCI security clearance.
• Be a US citizen, as required by the program.
• Nice to have: an active TS/SCI clearance.
• Nice to have: a master's or PhD in engineering (software, computer, electrical, aerospace, mechanical, or another technical engineering discipline).
• Nice to have: an understanding of key spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), electrical power systems (EPS), space-ground communications, on-orbit command and data handling (C&DH), and thermal control.
• Nice to have: a thorough grasp of the space environment, orbital mechanics, and rigid body dynamics.
• Nice to have: highly effective verbal and written communication with team members and internal and external customers.
• Nice to have: experience writing proposals and technical volumes.
• Nice to have: experience with MATLAB, Python, and STK.
• Nice to have: experience with CAD modeling and drawing.
• Nice to have: experience with requirement management tools such as JAMA or DOORS.
• Nice to have: experience with satellite operations.
• Nice to have: the ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.

Conditions

The role may involve long periods of sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, plus occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.

For US offices only: to meet US export rules for space technology, including ITAR, employees must be a US citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a lawfully admitted refugee or asylee, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the US State Department and/or Commerce Department.

For New Zealand offices only: background checks, including nationality checks, are run before any offer is made. You must be eligible to access ITAR-regulated equipment and data. You may be ineligible if you are not a citizen of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a NATO member country, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.

Base pay range for California: $173,000 to $260,000 USD. Level and base salary are set case by case, based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Company stock as part of total compensation, with the chance to grow as the company expands into new launch sites, missions, and markets.
• Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
• Medical plans: HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP with a significant company contribution to the HSA.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Paid vacation and sick time, plus 11 paid holidays.
• Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
• Paid parental leave.
• Disability and life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Subsidized EV charging, onsite fitness centers where available, and discounted gym memberships.
• Complimentary snacks and beverages.
• 50% employee discount on the company merch store, plus other employee discounts.