Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Systems Engineer
Job Description

As a Systems Engineer, you will design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms. You will own requirements across the full development lifecycle, provide technical leadership on system architecture and interfaces, and work closely with interdisciplinary teams to deliver cutting-edge payloads. This role offers the opportunity to work next to the lab, see hardware come to life in real time, and have a tangible impact on fast-moving, innovative space programs.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms.
• Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for complex space systems.
• Ensure full traceability of requirements throughout the development process and proactively address potential conflicts or issues.
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability across the entire development lifecycle.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including system design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), concepts of operations (CONOPs), and test plans.
• Generate clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance.
• Support the development and testing of space payloads that will be integrated on spacecraft platforms.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary hardware, software, and mission teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of sophisticated payloads.
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures.
• Analyze test data and recommend design refinements to improve performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Lead hardware and software verification and validation (V&V) activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements.
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance practices, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions and reviews.
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads while assessing and mitigating technical risks.
• Support travel or off-site work when needed to facilitate integration, testing, or program reviews.
• Perform other related systems engineering duties as assigned to support program success.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics.
• At least 5 years of professional systems engineering experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of verification and validation (V&V) experience.
• At least 3 years of integration experience in complex technical systems.
• Hands-on experience with requirements management tools, with the ability to provide detailed, structured responses and documentation.
• Professional background working in cross-functional, interdisciplinary environments.
• Experience in highly regulated industries such as aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, semiconductor, or data center.
• Strong systems engineering skills in requirements definition, allocation, traceability, and configuration control.
• Experience with verification, validation, integration, and testing of hardware and software systems.
• Ability to analyze technical data and translate findings into clear recommendations and documentation.
• Strong communication skills for generating technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

• Professional Python experience for data analysis, automation, or test scripting.
• Professional MATLAB experience for modeling, simulation, or data processing.
• Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS or JAMA.
• Experience in test planning, including development of test procedures and test strategies.
• Hands-on testing experience with complex systems, including EMI/EMC and other environmental or functional tests.
• Aerospace and defense industry experience specifically in systems engineering.
• Assembly experience with space payloads or other complex hardware systems.
• Active security clearance is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with mission assurance guidelines and compliance frameworks.
• Experience participating in technical interchange meetings and formal design or test reviews.

This is a fully onsite role in a highly collaborative, lab-adjacent environment where you can see payload hardware being built and tested in real time. You will work as part of a small, focused systems engineering team of approximately 7–8 people, enabling you to have a direct and visible impact on fast-moving, cutting-edge space programs rather than legacy efforts. The team maintains high expectations and strong interpersonal relationships, fostering a supportive culture of technical excellence and accountability. Standard work is five days per week, with a flexible start time between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Exact start and finish hours are still being finalized but are designed to support a healthy work-life balance while meeting program needs. You will collaborate closely with hardware, software, and test teams, using modern tools and processes in a prime contractor environment focused on the development and integration of satellites, vehicles, and advanced payloads.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $155000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.