Senior Payload Computer Systems Engineer

Iridium Satellite•Leesburg, VA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Iridium is seeking a Senior Payload Computer Systems Engineer who loves working with computer systems and is heavily invested in the space industry. This role involves working within a diverse engineering and analysis team to perform design, testing, on-orbit checkout and monitoring, anomaly resolution, and hardware longevity efforts of satellite payload computer hardware and software for the Iridium satellite constellation. The engineer will collaborate with cross-functional teams including payload software development, system integration and test, mission operations, and system architecture. The position offers the opportunity to develop expertise in new technologies, adapt to evolving mission needs, and contribute to innovative functionality and services that maintain Iridium's leadership in the commercial space industry.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
8+ years of experience supporting spacecraft or satellite payload computer systems, embedded systems, or closely related engineering environments.
Experience troubleshooting hardware and software issues within complex, mission-critical systems.
Working knowledge of programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Python.
Experience working in Unix/Linux environments.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Ability to analyze a situation or problem, generate effective solutions, and see those solutions through to completion.
Creativity and resourcefulness needed to make reliable decisions and determine methods on new assignments.
Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks and managing shifting priorities.
Proactive in sharing knowledge with others.
Must be willing and able to participate in a 24/7 on-call environment to support critical satellite operations.
Ability to travel up to two times per year.
Must be a "U.S. Person" as defined by U.S. export control laws (ITAR/EAR) due to access to export-controlled technologies.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with Atlassian Tool Suite, GitLab or similar configuration management tools.
Familiarity with PowerPC processors, Xilinx FPGA architecture, Space Wire bus protocols.
Familiarity with space operations environment.

Responsibilities

Conduct payload computer, modem board, and power supply performance analysis and create plans and procedures for 240 payload computers, 320 modem boards, and 160 power supplies.
Analyze on-orbit payload computer hardware and software performance and respond to computer anomalies (software related, hardware failures, or space environment induced).
Collaborate with the payload software development team, satellite subsystem engineers, and test teams to prepare vehicle software builds for on-orbit deployment and testing.
Interface with vehicle manufacturers and payload computer vendors to discuss and resolve on-orbit computer hardware and software issues.
Perform satellite payload computer data bus analysis (SpaceWire, MGT, SelectMap, ML16DS16).
Analyze computer/modem board space environment effects.
Perform SDRAM/Flash memory analysis for bit error/failure mitigation.
Conduct modem board SEFI analysis and mitigation.
Analyze dosimeter data and FPGA SEFI scrub cycle performance.
Participate in the characterization and prioritization of payload software features and defects within payload software builds and present results.
Deliver operational satellite software products (telemetry tables, command sequences, on-board databases, new software product loads) through configuration management systems.
Develop technical documentation and provide training and knowledge transfer to operations personnel and new engineering team members.
Lead and execute multiple payload computer engineering efforts concurrently, including satellite anomaly investigation, hardware longevity analysis, software feature implementation, and on-orbit validation.