Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Karman Space & Defense is a leader in the rapid design, development, and production of critical, next-generation system solutions that align with the U.S. Department of War and its allies’ core mission priorities, and meet the accelerating demand for access to space. Building on nearly 50 years of success, we deliver Payload & Protection Systems, Aero/Hydrodynamic Interstage Systems, and Propulsion & Launch Systems to more than 80 prime contractors supporting over 130 space and defense programs.

As a Senior Systems Engineer, you provide program‑level technical oversight to mature products from concept through test and qualification. You organize and coordinate system engineering activities, drive architecture and requirements, and lead test planning and documentation to ensure the end product meets all applicable requirements. You mentor engineers, contribute to standards, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver robust designs. Reports to the Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead.

Responsibilities

• Leads program‑level technical oversight to ensure products meet all applicable requirements.
• Balances engineering design, analysis, and test activities to produce robust system designs.
• Drives system architecture decisions by modeling system behavior and supporting requirement decomposition.
• Assesses completeness, verifies compliance, and documents system requirements.
• Develops test plans and validation strategies to confirm system performance.
• Leads development of engineering reports and presentations.
• Leads creation of interface control drawings and interface description documents.
• Contributes to company engineering standards, training, and guidelines.
• Mentors, trains, and develops engineers with lesser experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or equivalent.
• Typically 6+ years of aerospace engineering and/or defense experience, including 2+ years performing relevant systems engineering work.
• Experience with development of mechanical systems and structures, electronics, electrical cabling, system integration, and qualification testing.
• Mastery of general aerospace engineering, including structural analysis, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), physics‑based modeling, dynamics and kinematics, advanced high‑strength materials, design, and test.
• Demonstrated technical leadership with ability to develop, plan, and execute multidisciplinary projects.
• Self‑motivated; able to multi‑task and work independently with minimal oversight; quality‑oriented and safety conscious.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and creative problem‑solving; able to see the big picture while focusing on details.
• Excellent communication and customer relationship skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering.

This position requires U.S. person status under U.S. export control laws, including U.S. citizens and nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short‑ and long‑term disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement

Karman Space and Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.