Mission Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Mission Systems Engineer Job Description

This role focuses on leading systems engineering activities for high-reliability space and aerospace missions, with an emphasis on small satellite platforms and spaceflight hardware. You will help define mission architectures, derive and manage complex requirements, and support programs from early concept through full-scale build, test, and sustainment. The position offers the opportunity to work on unclassified payload programs, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radio frequency (RF) missions, within a growing organization that is transitioning from prototyping and R&D to scalable production.

• Lead systems engineering activities for high-reliability space and aerospace applications, with a focus on mission systems and satellite platforms.
• Define, derive, and decompose system- and mission-level requirements into subsystem and component-level specifications.
• Develop and manage complex product and mission architectures, ensuring alignment with customer objectives and technical constraints.
• Support programs and products through all phases of the lifecycle, from concept development and requirements definition through design, integration, test, deployment, and sustainment.
• Use aerospace and space requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or similar platforms to maintain traceability and configuration control.
• Collaborate closely with hardware, software, test, and integration teams to ensure end-to-end system performance and reliability.
• Support and guide Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities for spaceflight hardware and satellite systems.
• Contribute to mission architecture development for EO/IR and RF-based payload programs, ensuring that system designs meet mission performance goals.
• Participate in design reviews, technical reviews, and risk assessments, providing systems engineering insight and recommendations.
• Support transition from prototype and R&D efforts to scalable, full-production builds by refining requirements, processes, and documentation.
• Troubleshoot system-level issues, analyze root causes, and drive corrective actions across multidisciplinary teams.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including requirements specifications, interface control documents, verification plans, and test reports.

• Bachelors degree or higher in a relevant engineering field plus 810 years of professional experience in systems engineering for high-reliability space and aerospace applications, or
• Masters degree in a relevant engineering field plus 68 years of professional experience in systems engineering for high-reliability space and aerospace applications, or
• PhD in a relevant engineering field plus 35 years of professional experience in systems engineering for high-reliability space and aerospace applications.
• Extensive experience with systems engineering development methods on complex product architectures.
• Proven experience supporting aerospace or space programs through all phases of development, from requirements derivation and development through sustainment.
• Hands-on experience with aerospace and space requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or similar platforms.
• Strong background in systems engineering, including requirements definition, allocation, and verification.
• Experience working with mission systems and mission architecture for space vehicles and satellites.
• Hardware systems experience with spaceflight hardware and satellite systems.
• Experience with Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T) activities for space systems.
• Demonstrated experience with space vehicle and satellite programs.

• Experience in aerospace engineering with a focus on space missions and small satellite platforms.
• Familiarity with EO/IR and RF payload concepts and their integration into mission architectures.
• background in test engineering for complex aerospace or space systems.
• Experience working in environments transitioning from prototyping and R&D to full-scale production builds.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams and communicate clearly with stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills in a complex systems environment.

The role is based in a manufacturing environment focused on spaceflight hardware and small satellite systems. You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and test teams as part of an organization that designs, develops, builds, and deploys ground-based and space-based instrumentation. The environment emphasizes hands-on interaction with hardware, support for Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T), and participation in full lifecycle development from prototype to scalable production. The culture supports long-term career growth and collaboration, with a strong track record of internal advancement and conversion from contract to hire.

This is a Permanent position based out of Louisville, CO.

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $100.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Permanent position based out of Louisville, CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.

This is a fully onsite position in Louisville,CO.

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.