Senior Principal Optical Payload Systems Engineer
About The Position
This role focuses on advancing space systems through comprehensive systems engineering efforts. The Senior Principal Optical Payload Systems Engineer will contribute to architecture trade studies, system design analysis, and performance modeling through advanced simulations. In this capacity, you will define and manage requirements, develop segment interfaces, and leverage cutting-edge technologies in optical sensing, communications, directed energy, RF systems, digital hardware, and microelectronics. Key responsibilities span the complete product development lifecycle, including supporting new business acquisition and IRAD/technology development initiatives, defining system architectures, conducting trade studies, and developing specifications. You will also allocate and validate requirements, contribute to payload performance analysis, design modeling and simulation tools for system-level performance evaluation, lead payload hardware development for space and ground systems integration, and manage subcontractor performance, hardware manufacturing, and integration processes. By joining this team, you’ll play a critical role in delivering advanced integrated hardware and software systems that enable missions spanning Earth and beyond. If you have the pioneering spirit and technical expertise to develop groundbreaking systems, we invite you to help define the future of space exploration and innovation. This position is contingent upon capturing program award(s) along with acquiring and maintaining customer and/or business funding. Furthermore, this position is contingent upon the candidate obtaining final clearances and program access(es) within a reasonable period of time as determined by the company. Continued employment thereafter will be subject to maintenance of the level of clearance and program access required for the position in the future.
Requirements
- Bachelors of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 8+ years of engineering experience OR a Masters of Science degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 6+ years of engineering experience OR a Phd in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) discipline and 4+ years of engineering experience
- Possesses strong leadership qualities, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills
- Experience designing, integrating, testing and operating optical and/or RF systems
- Must have active DoD Top Secret AND the ability and willingness to obtain SCI clearance at time of application.
- U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate Degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or Computer Science
- Experience with remote sensing, Space Situational Awareness (SSA), communications or directed energy
- Candidates have completed relevant coursework in optics, control systems, remote sensing, lasercom and/or DSP
- Experience with baseband and EO/IR sensors, high energy lasers, and/or remote sensing applications
- Active TS with SCI clearance at time of application.
Responsibilities
- Supporting new business acquisition and IRAD/technology development initiatives.
- Defining system architectures, conducting trade studies, and developing specifications.
- Allocating and validating requirements and contributing to payload performance analysis.
- Designing modeling and simulation tools for system-level performance evaluation.
- Leading payload hardware development for space and ground systems integration.
- Managing subcontractor performance, hardware manufacturing, and integration processes.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
- 401k
- Educational Assistance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Programs & Work/Life Solutions
- Paid Time Off
- Health & Wellness Resources
- Employee Discounts
- Flexible Schedules: for example, the ability to work a 9/80 work schedule, which allows an employee to work a nine-hour day Monday through Thursday and take every other Friday off of work.
- Relocation assistance may be available
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.
- Annual bonuses
- Long Term Incentives (for VP or Director positions)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
