Lead Space System Engineer

STR • Melbourne, FL

1d

About The Position

The Lead Space System Engineer will apply systems engineering expertise in a dynamic research and development environment, helping develop a space-based sensing system platform. The role leads system architecture and requirements definition for the constellation, including command and control, intersatellite communications, ground processing, spectrum allocation, and satellite sensor modes. It drives decisions about partitioning functionality between space and ground segments while balancing mission performance with constraints such as size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) and security.

The engineer works closely with program leadership, team leads, subcontractors, and external partners to establish and execute program objectives, requirements, development plans, and technology roadmaps. The role also assesses current and future system capabilities and contributes technical insights to business development. It includes mentoring junior staff and offers opportunities for career growth in a fast-paced, expanding company.

STR is a research and development technology company serving defense, intelligence, and national security missions. It describes its culture as collaborative and learning-oriented, and is an equal opportunity employer. Positions require employees to obtain national security clearances and comply with export-control and other applicable laws.

Requirements

• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
• Bachelor's degree with 7 or more years of experience, or master's degree with 5 or more years of experience, in Computer Science, Physics, Computer Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Proven track record in a systems engineering role.
• Deep technical expertise in at least one of: space-based RF/RADAR processing, including signal processing, spectrum allocation, or electronic warfare; or space-based optical sensing and processing, including focal plane arrays, optical trains, or image processing.
• Proven experience with satellite flight software architectures, including real-time software development and hardware-software interface definition.
• Multidisciplinary knowledge of mission modeling, systems design, hardware/firmware integration, and testing.
• Skill directing development team activities and managing technical deliverables.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable plans.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience working on SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) or SAP (Special Access Programs).
• Experience designing, integrating, and testing optical communications hardware.
• Experience providing technical contributions to business development and proposal efforts.
• Experience with field test planning and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering and requirements development and management for a team building a space-based sensing platform.
• Architect the system and lead detailed analysis to derive command and control, data transport, and processing requirements.
• Collaborate with other team leads and subcontractors on the technology roadmap for testing and integrating complex subsystems.
• Define mission partitioning between the system under development and other government systems, and author the Interface Control Documents (ICDs) governing those interactions.
• Guide, coach, and mentor junior staff to strengthen the team's technical capability.
• Collaborate with program leadership and external partners to establish and execute program objectives, requirements, and development plans.
• Assess current and future system capabilities and provide technical development insights for business development initiatives.

What This Job Offers

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