Engineer Senior – Spacecraft Optical Communications - $20K Sign On Bonus

BAE Systems•Boulder, CO

5d•$97,008 - $164,914•Onsite

About The Position

BAE Systems is seeking an independent, action-oriented technical lead to support optical communications subsystem design, development, integration, and test throughout the lifecycle of space vehicle development. The subsystem may be an entire communications payload or a subassembly that carries tracking, telemetry, command, and instrument data between a space vehicle and relays or ground stations. The role supports major programs and is part of the Space Vehicle Systems Engineering Space Communications team within BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems. The position leads subsystem execution, including architecture development, requirements and interface management, vendor relationships and performance, hardware definition, analysis, verification, risk management, and program reporting. The engineer works closely with system leads, subject matter experts, program and systems engineering leadership, Contracts, Supply Chain, and customers. The role may support commissioning and mission operations and requires regular on-site work five days each normally scheduled week, with travel to vendor locations as needed. Work may take place in an office, laboratory, production floor, cleanroom, outdoors, or a remote research environment. Occasional work in production centers may require protective equipment, and the position may involve access to other facilities in varied weather conditions. A minimum $20,000 sign-on bonus is offered to external hires. The stated full-time salary range is $97,008–$164,914. Benefits for eligible regular employees scheduled for 20 or more hours per week include health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) plan; disability coverage; life and accident insurance; an employee assistance program; a legal plan; insurance-related discounts; paid time off and holidays; and various leave programs. Recognition awards and other incentives may also be available.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field, plus at least 4 years of related experience. A higher-level degree may substitute for two years of experience per degree; related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Degree must be from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education or U.S. Department of Education.
Current, active Top Secret security clearance and ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance.
Understanding of planning, scheduling, hardware specifications, and interface control.
Experience with test design and uncertainty analysis, particularly statistical uncertainty propagation or stack-up through multi-component systems.
Experience defining, developing, and delivering space-qualified hardware.
Intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to learn.
Good communication and presentation skills.
Experience in a multidisciplinary teamwork environment, including small-team leadership responsibilities.
Hardware background.

Nice To Haves

Current CI polygraph.
Experience with electronic and/or optical modems.
Experience with fiber optics and laser amplifiers.
Experience with networking interfaces and test methods or equipment.
Experience aligning free-space optical systems.
Experience in subcontract management.
Experience with document-based systems engineering and MBSE software.
Broad cross-disciplinary knowledge to communicate effectively with experts in mechanisms, structures, electronics, thermal, radiation, navigation, and software.
Space hardware experience.

Responsibilities

Develop optical communication architectures to meet space-to-ground and space-to-space Lasercom needs.
Coordinate with system leads and subject matter experts on system design, compatibility, integrated performance, and test methods.
Establish vendor relationships for space-qualified end-to-end optical communications subsystems and develop strategic partnerships for optical communications capabilities.
Travel to vendor locations as needed for program milestones or oversight of critical test events.
Serve as program subsystem IPT Lead and ensure cost, schedule, and technical execution goals are met.
Collaborate with program and systems engineering leadership to accomplish mission objectives for telecommunications subsystems on space vehicles.
Collaborate with Contracts, Supply Chain, and other internal teams.
Report cost, schedule, and technical status to internal and external customers.
Define, quantify, manage, and report technical risks.
Manage subcontractor performance to ensure delivery of conforming hardware for integration as a communications subsystem.
Define and manage subsystem requirements, vendor test methods and reporting, and document compliance and verification.
Prepare and manage hardware definitions and interfaces.
Write contractual elements, procedural definitions, specifications, interfaces, and analysis support and description documents.
Provide or review engineering analysis reports, including link budget calculations and determination of critical parameters needed to meet requirements.
Prepare and present plans, subsystem design and development information, risks and opportunities, and performance status to peers, management, and customers.
Support commissioning and mission operations as needed.
Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule and effective working relationships across the department, business units, capabilities units, and company.

Benefits

Minimum $20,000 sign-on bonus for external hires.
Health insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Health savings accounts.
401(k) savings plan.
Disability coverage.
Life and accident insurance.
Employee assistance program.
Legal plan.
Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
Paid time off.
Paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
Military leave.
Bereavement leave.
Applicable federal and state sick leave.
Monetary or non-monetary recognition awards.
Other incentives may be available depending on position level and job specifics.