Sr Systems Engineer, Software

At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Our team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration, believing 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.

About the Role

The Sr Systems Engineer contributes to the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection, and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle. This role champions the viewpoint of the integrated whole during system development, gluing segments and subsystems together via top-down decomposition of stakeholder requirements, traceability through development artifacts, and bottom-up validation and verification of the system.

The Sr Systems Engineer shepherds the team through technical development milestones, tracks performance measures, and identifies technical risks to arrive at a compliant and cohesive system solution. This role promotes Systems Engineering principles and has expertise across major systems engineering skills, including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration, and system verification.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives.
• 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.
• Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to ensure project alignment and successful execution.

Requirements

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve, and empower.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters + 8 years of experience).
• Typically 10+ years of related experience (or Masters + 8 years of experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a 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.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing requirements, feature definition, and test criteria for satellite ground software systems.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft systems and classified enterprise ground systems, including hardware and software subsystems.
• Knowledge of satellite ground software standards and message flows (CCSDS, OMS/UCI).
• Experience with Requirements Management and Model-Based Systems Engineering tools (DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, SysML).
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C++, C#) and scripting for automation.
• Solid software development foundation with experience in modern programming languages and practices.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies and DevSecOps practices.
• Familiarity with containerization, orchestration platforms, and cloud technologies.
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies, including risk management and technical performance tracking.
• Solid grasp of technical baseline and configuration management practices.

Pay

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.

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%.
• Life insurance.
• 3 weeks paid time off.

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations.