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Senior Systems Engineer (Secret clearance) Verified today

Vantor · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-03
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About the role

You'll work alongside the U.S. Space Force and mission partners to develop and deploy next-generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) ground-system capabilities. Your work will deliver critical information to warfighters and support faster, more informed decisions in critical moments.

As a Senior Ground Systems Engineer, you'll shape the technical foundation of mission-critical satellite ground systems. Your responsibilities include:

  • Develop and maintain System Requirements Documents (SRDs), Technical Requirements Documents (TRDs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), and mission-protection documentation
  • Create technical assessments, integration plans, verification plans, and digital mission and system models
  • Research emerging requirements, technologies, and threats
  • Apply innovative engineering methodologies and tools to solve complex problems
  • Support integration and verification activities from concept to operational readiness
  • Mentor engineers and help build a culture of technical excellence and collaboration

Required qualifications

  • Active Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizen required)
  • Bachelor's degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM)
  • 10+ years supporting DoD weapon systems acquisitions or systems engineering
  • 5+ years performing systems engineering analysis and developing products for satellite systems or ground systems for Command and Control and Data Processing
  • 3+ years leading teams of at least 5 people
  • Experience communicating and coordinating between client, team, related teams, and leadership
  • Experience developing technical specifications, interface control documents, ground architectures and designs, integration plans, schedules, and test plans
  • Experience authoring requirements, managing testable criteria, system validation and verification, and analysis
  • Knowledge of network architecture
  • Knowledge of Agile methodologies

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience in modeling, simulation, or analysis of RF Systems (Space-to-Ground and Payload Systems)
  • Experience with space-based remote sensing systems including SBIRS, Next Generation OPIR, FORGE, STSS, HBTSS, or DSP
  • Experience planning and executing program reviews throughout system lifecycle
  • Model-Based Systems Engineering approach to manage system definitions and technical baselines
  • Knowledge of satellite ground system design, cloud architecture, DevOps and DevSecOps, software frameworks, communication and networking, data processing, exploitation, dissemination, space system operations, mission planning, space-ground integration, or space system factory support
  • Knowledge of DoD 5000.01 and 5000.02
  • Knowledge of systems engineering standards IEEE 15288.1 and IEEE 15288.2
  • TS/SCI clearance
  • Master's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science
  • INCOSE Systems Engineering Professional Certification (ASEP, CSEP, or ESEP)

Compensation and work arrangement

Base pay ranges from $95,000 to $201,000 annually across California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, based on experience, qualifications, skills, and market conditions.

Comprehensive benefits include paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and 401(k) for eligible employees.

This position requires at least 2-3 days per week on site. Meeting schedules may require additional on-site days.