Chief Systems Engineer (CSE)

E-Space • Saratoga, CA

2d • $190,000 - $225,000 • Onsite

About The Position

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems. The Chief Systems Engineer (CSE) holds the highest technical authority in the Space Systems Organization below the CTO. This is the single point of accountability for spacecraft system architecture, all Interface Control Documents (ICDs), the Verification & Validation Plan, Requirements Compliance closure, and the system-level AI&T campaign. With Space Systems Electrical Engineering (SSEE) as an organic fifth function, the CSE also holds sole authority over the spacecraft-level electrical architecture and the electrical ICD framework to which every hardware VP and Semiconductor Development designs. The scope extends beyond the spacecraft — the CSE owns the program digital thread connecting requirements through design, verification, as-built records, and on-orbit telemetry. This role is the first escalation point for all inter-division technical disputes, the configuration baseline custodian, and the standing CCB member with technical concurrence authority on all production Engineering Change Orders.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive systems engineering experience in the space industry; at least one flight project carried from SRR through on-orbit operations
• Constellation program experience — direct accountability for spacecraft-level architecture, cross-vehicle interface management, or system-level verification across a multi-satellite fleet.
• Direct responsibility for requirements traceability and verification closure; presented and defended technical baselines at formal design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, QR) before a standing review board
• Demonstrated background in RF link design, phased array systems, modem/waveform, or OSI Layer 1–2 protocol architecture
• Prior hands-on subsystem leadership (payload, bus, or ground) before transitioning to systems engineering
• Demonstrated record of building and developing multi-discipline systems engineering teams, including recruiting and retaining Principal Engineers
• Experience presenting to and defending technical baselines before external review boards
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering — or equivalent verifiable experience
• This role requires access to controlled technical data. Under U.S. law (ITAR/EAR), we can only consider U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status).
• E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with MBSE tools (DOORS NG, Cameo, SysML) in a production program environment
• Familiarity with digital thread architectures connecting engineering design to manufacturing execution systems
• Prior experience as CSE or Deputy CSE on a constellation program with ≥10 satellites
• Background in phased array or digital beamforming system architecture
• Familiarity with DCSA or IC program accreditation processes for classified systems

Responsibilities

• Own the System Requirements Document (SRD), all ICDs, and resource budgets (mass, power, pointing, ΔV) across the full program lifecycle
• Lead system-level trade studies spanning spacecraft, ground segment, and user terminal interfaces
• Decompose system requirements to subsystem allocations and manage the trade space across mass, power, pointing, and cost
• Baseline all ICDs including the complete electrical ICD set and maintain configuration control through every program gate
• Own spacecraft-level electrical architecture and design standards; define the electrical ICD framework to which every hardware VP and Semiconductor Development designs
• Exercise dotted-line authority to lead electrical engineers across all hardware VP organizations
• Enforce spacecraft-level power distribution, grounding and shielding, EMI/EMC (MIL-STD-461), signal integrity, and connector/harness standards
• Own and execute the G2 Gate receiving process, spacecraft integration, and FlatSat, TVAC, Vibration/Acoustic, and EMI/EMC campaigns
• Own and operate the System Integration Laboratory (SIL) and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) facilities
• Lead anomaly investigation and disposition for all system-level test findings
• Baseline the V&V Plan at PDR; define and track a minimum of 15 Technical Performance Measures (TPMs) through every gate
• Own the Requirements Compliance Matrix — drive to 100% closure before Phase Close Gate
• Chair the Technical Review Board (TRB) and oversee requirements traceability from SRD to test evidence
• Serve as the first escalation point for all inter-division technical disputes across RF, power, structures, software, and semiconductors
• Act as configuration baseline custodian and hold block upgrade architecture authority
• Provide technical concurrence on all production ECOs as standing CCB member
• Make and defend binding technical decisions under uncertainty — including accepting residual risk with documented rationale
• Own the program digital thread connecting requirements, design artifacts, verification evidence, as-built records, and on-orbit telemetry
• Drive working-level use of MBSE tools including DOORS NG, Cameo, and SysML across the systems engineering team

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• Continuous learning and development
• Health and wellness care options
• Financial solutions for the future
• Optional legal services (US only)
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior