Cybersecurity Space Systems Engineer

Amentum•Houston, TX

About The Position

Amentum is hiring a Cybersecurity Space Systems Engineer for the JETSII Contract, supporting NASA’s deep-space exploration efforts. This role combines space systems engineering and cybersecurity to protect NASA mission systems, including spacecraft, onboard computers, communications links, and ground systems, from deliberate cyber threats. The engineer will help design systems that can detect unusual behavior, isolate threats, and recover autonomously in space, supporting mission safety, reliability, and resilience. The role includes planning, building, and testing cybersecurity features; conducting threat modeling; designing secure spacecraft communications and cryptographic key management; reviewing software and code for flight systems; developing monitoring tools and automated safety responses; and coordinating cybersecurity events with ground, network, and flight operations teams. The engineer will also assess designs, interface control documents, and flight software architectures against cyber-resiliency baselines, translate cybersecurity objectives into space systems engineering deliverables, and perform trade studies that balance security needs against spacecraft resource constraints. The position is generally performed in an office environment, though tasks may involve indoor or outdoor work. Work may require sitting or standing for extended periods and lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds. Standard office equipment is used. Regular attendance is critical, and the employee may need to work outside the normal schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements. A U.S. government background investigation is required, and proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency may be required. The company may consider candidates at different advertised levels based on experience, requirements, and business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or STEM field, such as Aerospace, Space Systems, Computer, Software, or Electrical Engineering.
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent certification in a related area and at least 5 years of experience in the field or a related area.
Experience participating in or reviewing major design milestones such as SRR, PDR, or CDR.
Understanding of the systems engineering lifecycle, including writing verifiable requirements, managing verification matrices through test, analysis, inspection, and demonstration, and configuration management.
Ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI security clearance.
Experience balancing cybersecurity needs against spacecraft constraints, such as CPU limitations, thermal footprints, limited power budgets, and low telemetry bandwidth.
Experience working across disciplines and explaining cyber risks to engineers and mission leaders who are not cybersecurity specialists.
Ability to work outside the normal schedule and adjust schedule to meet peak periods and surge requirements.

Nice To Haves

5–8 years of increasing experience in space systems engineering.
Master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering, with work focused on cybersecurity, embedded systems security, or autonomous system resiliency.
Strong understanding of real-time operating systems such as VxWorks, RTEMS, or NASA Core Flight System, and lower-level spacecraft programming in C/C++.
Experience applying defensive cybersecurity concepts directly to aerospace systems.
Experience with intrusion detection systems (IDS), SIEM, packet-capture analytics, and telemetry log analysis adapted to resource-constrained environments.
Knowledge of how to protect onboard artificial intelligence.

Responsibilities

Conduct threat modeling across spacecraft, communications links, and ground systems using space-focused security tools and methods such as SPARTA.
Design secure communication methods for spacecraft internal systems, including a cryptographic key management framework that does not impede critical operations.
Review external software and code before compilation into flight software to identify harmful components.
Develop lightweight monitoring tools to detect unexpected behavior in telemetry, commands, or onboard systems.
Build automated safety responses so spacecraft can isolate threats and protect essential systems without real-time support from Earth.
Lead cross-functional teams during cybersecurity exercises or events, coordinating ground stations, network engineering teams, and flight operations to securely patch or override flight software.
Evaluate engineering designs, interface control documents, and flight software architectures for compliance with cyber-resiliency baselines.
Translate cybersecurity objectives into traditional space systems engineering deliverables.
Perform engineering trade studies balancing cybersecurity measures against limited spacecraft power, computing, and communications resources.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Maintain regular attendance and adjust work schedules to support peak periods and surge requirements.
Demonstrate professional behavior that promotes productivity, teamwork, and cooperation.