Senior/Staff Space Systems Engineer

Senior Space Systems Engineer

Denver, CO or Los Angeles (South Bay), CA | Full-time | Onsite

A growth-stage satellite company with four satellites launching imminently needs a systems engineer who has worn every hat and can own the technical baseline from day one.

You'll lead systems engineering across spacecraft, hosted payloads and integrated flight hardware: architecture, CONOPS, requirements, ICDs, budgets, verification and review readiness through to launch. You'll be the integrator across mechanical, electrical, avionics, software, ops and manufacturing, in a team small enough that you'll also be in the lab, on the test floor and at the launch site.

This suits someone who has been the lead SE, thermal lead, I&T lead or responsible engineer on real flight hardware, ideally at a small or growth-stage company where nobody handed them a process.

What you'll own

• System architecture, CONOPS, requirements decomposition and traceability
• ICDs, block diagrams and mass, power, data and link budgets
• Verification strategy, test plans and acceptance criteria
• Environmental, functional and qualification test support (TVAC, vibe, EMI/EMC)
• Technical readiness for PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR and mission readiness reviews
• Customer and supplier technical engagement
• Building repeatable SE processes that keep speed

What we’re looking for

• Deep spacecraft systems experience from concept through build, test and delivery
• Hands-on with I&T, test campaigns, launch or operations, not purely paper SE
• Multiple hats across subsystems, RE, mission assurance or ops
• Self-directed. You won't need mentoring to get moving.
• Led or materially supported SRR through FRR-level reviews
• U.S. person (ITAR); able to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Nice to have

• Small sat, proliferated LEO, hosted payloads, SDA, DoD, NASA or commercial programs
• Startup or high-growth experience
• MBSE and requirements tools

Package: competitive base/bonus + equity. Relocation available.