Sr Systems Engineer (Clearance Required) Verified today

About Sierra Space

Sierra Space builds missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. We deliver mission-proven technologies including satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems to safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets, and enable space exploration.

The Role

As Sr Systems Engineer, you will contribute to the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection, and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle. You champion the viewpoint of the integrated whole during system development and work 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.

You will:

• Lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts
• Oversee the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures
• Define and document system concepts of operation
• Lead development milestone reviews by creating artifacts and deliverables
• Oversee system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance
• Identify and manage technical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
• Adhere to established engineering processes and standards and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders

Key Responsibilities by Domain

Ground Systems:

• Design and maintain ground system architectures including mission operations centers, ground data systems, ground communication networks, and interfaces with launch site infrastructure and tracking stations
• Develop ground software and tools for vehicle monitoring, telemetry processing, command and control, and support pre-launch checkout, mission simulations, and ground rehearsals
• Coordinate ground segment integration with flight systems and ensure end-to-end operational readiness
• Define architecture and lead cross-functional ground system initiatives

Requirements and Verification:

• Derive, decompose, and manage technical requirements from stakeholder needs through system, subsystem, and component levels
• Manage requirements baseline changes and impact assessments across the product lifecycle
• Develop verification and validation strategies including analysis, inspection, demonstration, and test methods
• Author verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria aligned to requirements traceability
• Lead requirements reviews, trade studies, and technical audits to ensure completeness, consistency, and compliance
• Own requirements architecture and approval authority for complex changes

Space Vehicle Integration:

• Plan and execute hardware and software integration activities for spacecraft buses, payloads, and subsystems
• Coordinate interface control documents (ICDs) and manage technical interfaces across vehicle elements
• Support integration and test campaigns including functional checkout, environmental testing, and system-level qualification
• Resolve integration anomalies and troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and mission assurance teams to ensure flight readiness
• Define integration strategy and own vehicle-level technical risk

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree; Master's degree plus 8 years of experience also acceptable)
• Typically 10+ years of related experience (or Master's degree plus 8 years of experience)
• Demonstrated expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle
• Progressive experience across the system development lifecycle, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation
• Progressive experience developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products
• Active Secret U.S. Security Clearance required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's 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
• Strong understanding of spacecraft systems, including hardware and software subsystems and components
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies including risk management and technical performance tracking
• Strong understanding of technical baseline and configuration management
• Proven experience in leading 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

Compensation

Pay Range: $143,700.00 - $197,608.50

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.

Benefits

Sierra Space offers 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.

Clearance and Citizenship Requirements

This position requires an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.