Principal Ground Systems Engineer - Mission Architecture and Systems Engineering

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently. Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).Please review the job details below.The SpaceWrx division of Vantor develops next-generation satellite systems, ground infrastructure, and mission operations capabilities that enable high-performance commercial and national security missions. The Mission Architecture & Systems Engineering (MASE) team provides the technical leadership that transforms customer missions into integrated, executable system architectures spanning spacecraft, payloads, communications, ground systems, software, and mission operations. We are seeking a Principal Ground Systems Engineer - Mission Architect to serve as a technical leader across multiple complex development programs and strategic business initiatives. This role requires broad systems engineering expertise, exceptional architectural judgment, and the ability to translate customer mission needs into innovative, technically sound system solutions. As a senior member of the MASE organization, you will lead architectural development, facilitate technical decision-making across engineering organizations, and ensure mission objectives are successfully translated into executable system designs. You will collaborate closely with Engineering, Product, and Go-to-Market sales teams to shape future capabilities, influence product strategy, and ensure our technology roadmap aligns with customer priorities and corporate objectives. This position extends beyond program execution. You will actively engage with customers, support business development activities, contribute to proposals and demonstrations, and help define mission-enabling solutions that differentiate Vantor in a rapidly evolving commercial and national security space market. Successful candidates are respected technical leaders who combine deep systems engineering expertise with practical execution, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to influence without relying on organizational authority. Minimum Qualifications Must be a U.S. CitizenBachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline. Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible systems engineering experience supporting complex aerospace, defense, robotics, autonomous systems, or other multidisciplinary engineering programs. Demonstrated technical leadership across complete system lifecycles from mission concept through deployment and sustained operations. Extensive experience developing mission architectures, Concepts of Operations (ConOps), operational concepts, system architectures, and high-level technical designs for ground systems supporting satellite missions. Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary architectural development across spacecraft, payloads, ground systems, communications, software, and mission operations. Broad and deep knowledge of ground systems domains including command and control, mission management, processing, and data delivery. Strong understanding of systems engineering methodologies spanning the complete systems engineering “V-model”, including mission analysis, architecture development, requirements engineering, implementation, integration, verification, validation, and operational support. Experience developing and maintaining technical baselines through requirements management, architectural decomposition, interface definition, and lifecycle traceability. Demonstrated ability to lead technical design reviews, facilitate architectural trade studies, and drive engineering consensus across multiple organizations. Experience reviewing and approving technical designs to ensure architectural consistency, technical integrity, and alignment with mission objectives. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with engineering teams, executive leadership, customers, and external stakeholders. Ability to influence technical direction through collaboration, engineering rigor, and sound technical judgment. Preferred Qualifications Experience leading end-to-end systems engineering for satellite constellations, remote sensing systems, defense space systems, or other complex distributed architectures. Expertise in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies using SysML and tools such as Cameo Systems Modeler, Enterprise Architect, or MagicDraw. Experience with requirements management platforms including IBM DOORS Next, Jama Connect, Polarion, or equivalent tools. Experience leading architecture reviews, design reviews, and technical baseline approvals throughout system development. Experience conducting mission analysis, architecture trades, technology evaluations, and feasibility studies to inform technical and business decisions. Experience developing Interface Control Documents (ICDs), system specifications, and verification strategies. Familiarity with digital engineering practices and model-centric development methodologies. Experience supporting customer engagements through technical presentations, demonstrations, white papers, Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and proposal development. Experience collaborating with product management, business development, and executive leadership to shape technology roadmaps and product strategies. Working knowledge of ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, and modern systems engineering best practices. Experience supporting Agile or iterative development environments while maintaining disciplined systems engineering processes. Key Responsibilities Lead the development of mission architecture and high-level system designs for complex satellite, ground, and mission operations systems. Translate customer mission objectives into executable technical concepts through systems engineering analysis, architectural decomposition, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Lead technical design reviews and architecture reviews while ensuring engineering decisions align with mission objectives, program constraints, and long-term product strategy. Establish and maintain the technical baseline through development of Concepts of Operations (ConOps), use cases, requirements, interface definitions, system architectures, and verification strategies. Review and approve lower-level architectural and systems engineering products to ensure technical consistency, completeness, and alignment with the overall system architecture. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among spacecraft, payload, software, communications, ground systems, mission operations, and specialty engineering teams. Conduct architectural trade studies, mission analyses, technology assessments, and technical evaluations that inform product direction and customer solutions. Partner with Engineering, Product, and Go-to-Market organizations to ensure future capabilities address customer mission needs while supporting Vantor’s strategic objectives. Support customer engagements through technical presentations, demonstrations, architecture workshops, RFIs, proposals, and solution development activities. Mentor systems engineers by promoting sound engineering judgment, disciplined systems engineering practices, and a culture of technical excellence. Drive continuous improvement of systems engineering methods, architectural frameworks, digital engineering capabilities, and lifecycle development practices across the organization. Within SpaceWrx, principal systems engineers are expected to be architects, integrators, and technical leaders. They transform complexity into clarity, connect disciplines that traditionally operate in isolation, and guide teams toward technically sound, mission-focused solutions. They lead through expertise, ownership, and collaboration, helping build systems that are innovative, resilient, and operationally effective while enabling the company’s long-term growth and customer success. #LI-MG1Pay Transparency: To support pay transparency, Vantor includes salary ranges in all U.S. job postings. Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role. The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $135,000.00 - $180,000.00 - $198,000.00 annually.For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range. Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.To apply, submit your application via Vantor's Career page.EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.SummaryLocation: Westminster, COType: Full time