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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Senior Systems Engineer, Proposal Development - **Company:** Iridium Satellite, LLC - **Location:** Reston, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $119,000.0 - $156,000.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Agile Methodology, Systems Engineering, Confluence, JIRA, Network Protocols, Software Architecture, Software Engineering, Subsystems, Systems Architecture, Network Routers, Atlassian Tools, Data Analytics - **Published:** August 11, 2026 - **Apply:** https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/apply/add/87995687/1 ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, or related field * 8+ years of relevant experience in the defense, aerospace, or space industry * Advanced knowledge of systems engineering methodologies, model-based systems engineering concepts, systems architecture, and Agile development processes. * Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical concepts, analyses, and recommendations to engineering teams, program leadership, customers, and executive stakeholders. * Have confidence and be able to easily build collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary engineering organizations and leadership teams. * Possess an analytical mindset with the ability to solve highly complex technical challenges, evaluate alternatives, and develop innovative engineering solutions. * Be proactive in identifying technical risks, improving engineering processes, and mentoring other engineers while sharing technical knowledge across the organization. * Capable of independently managing multiple complex technical priorities while coordinating cross-functional activities to meet aggressive proposal and program deadlines. Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table: * Experience designing, developing, and operating Space Vehicle Subsystems. * Experience with Hardware and Software Development Life Cycle processes. * Working knowledge of networking protocols, routers, switches, and communication architectures. * Familiarity with Atlassian tools including Jira, R4J, and Confluence. * Experience supporting U.S. Government proposal development and competitive capture efforts. * Experience performing system architecture trade studies and technical solution development for large-scale aerospace or defense programs. We'll also need you to: * Be able to work in the office at least 3 days a week to foster collaboration with the team and stakeholders * Be able to travel up to 25% * Be a U.S. Citizen Work Environment: This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer. We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium's Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth. ## Description If you are looking for a collaborative work environment where you'll have the opportunity to be part of a team on the forefront of one of the most advanced satellite constellations in the world, then you will be excited about the Senior Systems Engineer, Proposal Development opening with Iridium for a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Senior Systems Engineer, you'll be responsible for independently developing and implementing technical solutions that support complex proposal efforts and strategic business objectives. In this role, you will focus primarily on leading the systems engineering aspects of proposal development, architecture definition, technical planning, and cross-functional collaboration. You will thrive in this role if you are an effective communicator and comfortable leading highly complex technical efforts with minimal oversight. This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active). What You'll Do: Lead the systems engineering execution of complex proposal efforts by developing technical approaches, system architectures, Requests for Proposal (RFP) responses, Basis of Estimates (BOEs), and supporting technical documentation. * Be responsible for independently defining system architectures, requirements decomposition, interface definitions, trade studies, and technical baselines across Space and Ground Segments. * Drive technical collaboration across Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, Program Management, Business Development, and other stakeholders to ensure proposal solutions are technically sound, executable, and aligned with customer requirements. * Demonstrate advanced systems engineering knowledge to develop innovative technical solutions, evaluate design alternatives, identify risks, and provide recommendations that improve proposal competitiveness and program execution. * Lead complex system analyses, including functional, performance, interface, and requirements analyses, ensuring technical decisions are supported by sound engineering principles and data-driven conclusions. * Be accountable for coordinating technical deliverables, proposal schedules, engineering estimates, and milestone execution while ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance throughout the proposal lifecycle. * Provide technical leadership and mentorship to less experienced engineers while promoting systems engineering best practices and continuous process improvement across proposal development activities. ## Related Videos - [Improving quality with Agentic AI with Rovo Dev and Xray](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2005-improving-quality-with-agentic-ai-with-rovo-dev-and-xray) - [Unlocking the potential of Digital & IT at Vodafone](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/602-unlocking-the-potential-of-digital-it-at-vodafone) - [42 x 2 Canvases Later: Two Years, Two Minds, Many Lessons](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1458-42-x-2-canvases-later-two-years-two-minds-many-lessons) - [10M Data Records Lost, Underwater Computing, and Psychedelic Fish - Matthias Geniar](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1908-10m-data-records-lost-underwater-computing-and-psychedelic-fish-matthias-geniar) - [Designing UX for SRE Agents in High-Stakes Incidents](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100003-designing-ux-for-sre-agents-in-high-stakes-incidents) - [A Founder's Journey : From Startup Chaos to Purposeful Growth](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1926-a-founder-s-journey-from-startup-chaos-to-purposeful-growth) ## Related Articles - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Fully Remote Software Engineer Jobs](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/447-fully-remote-software-engineer-jobs) - [Remote Work: Best Practices for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/315-remote-work-best-practices-for-developers) - [Is Software Engineering Over-Saturated?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/418-is-software-engineering-over-saturated) - [Dev Digest 121 - AI goes offline](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/456-dev-digest-121-ai-goes-offline) - [Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office: What’s Really Best for Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/638-remote-hybrid-or-in-office-what-s-really-best-for-developers)