Principal Systems Engineer - Velocity Satellite Integration (Clearance Required)

We are the prime contractor on a satellite system in our Eclipse Velocity product line currently in Assembly Integration & Test - one of the most exciting phases of the program lifecycle, where designs become hardware and hardware becomes a mission. You’ll join a tightly knit execution team with an intimate, high-trust relationship with our customer, working across both the flat sat and the flight space vehicle as we push through integration, drive down risk, close out verifications, and count down toward launch of a critical national security mission. If you want engineering work where you can see and touch the outcome - on the bench and on the vehicle - not just paper it, this is that role.

The Principal Systems Engineer leads and drives the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle.

The Principal Systems Engineer champions the viewpoint of the integrated whole during system development and works to glue segments and subsystems together via top-down decomposition of stakeholder requirements, traceability through development artifacts, and bottom-up validation and verification of the system.

They shepherd the team through technical development milestones, track performance measures and identify technical risks to arrive at a compliant and cohesive system solution.

The Principal Systems Engineer is a strong promoter of Systems Engineering principles and has demonstrated expertise across the major systems engineering skills including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration and system verification.

The Principal Systems Engineer leads teams to execute complex systems engineering scope and helps mentor and develop systems engineering skills in others.

The Principal Systems Engineer is a thought leader in the systems engineering field and makes significant contributions to engineering initiatives and corporate strategy.

In this role, you will:

• Serve as a key technical leader on the Integration & Test team, working across both the flat sat engineering test-bed and the flight space vehicle
• Drive system-level integration and verification activities on the flat sat and carry lessons learned and verified procedures forward onto the space vehicle
• Perform risk-reduction testing on the flat sat to surface and resolve issues before they migrate to the flight vehicle
• Lead systems/hardware problem investigations and risk-reduction planning across both test-bed and flight configurations
• Own requirements derivation, decomposition, allocation, and traceability, ensuring verification evidence generated on the flat sat and the space vehicle ties back cleanly to stakeholder needs
• Lead development milestone reviews and represent the technical baseline in customer touchpoints and stakeholder alignments
• Identify and manage technical risks spanning flat sat and space vehicle activities, developing and driving mitigation strategies with the execution team
• Mentor and grow systems engineering talent while contributing to broader SE process and policy improvements

• Requires Bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +13 yrs experience).
• Typically 15+ years of related experience (or Masters + 13 years of experience).
• Ability to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives, architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple sub-systems.
• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Robust experience across multiple system development life cycles, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Expertise in developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.
• Ability to contribute to corporate Systems Engineering policy and process definition and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
• An active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance is required, * Masters degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Extensive experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and frameworks, such as DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, and SysML.
• Robust understanding of spacecraft systems, including hardware and software subsystems and components.
• Experience with flat-sat/engineering test-bed environments and flight space vehicle integration and checkout Experience supporting or interfacing with government/mission customers in a close IPT (integrated product team) setting Previous experience working a Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) mission.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies including risk management and technical performance tracking.
• Robust understanding of technical baseline and configuration management.
• Proven experience in leading major projects and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.
• Experience or certification in INCOSE standards.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

• Pay Range: $173,748.00 - $238,903.50

Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness., We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team., Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission-proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight-proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.