Sr. Systems Engineer

Orchard•Palo Alto, CA

11d•$143,000 - $238,000

About The Position

@Orchard LLC is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer to support a client in the aerospace and space infrastructure industry. The client specializes in spacecraft development, advanced space systems, and mission-critical technologies for commercial, civil, and national security programs. The role applies systems engineering principles to complex spacecraft designs and provides technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering teams. The position initially focuses on spacecraft systems engineering, including Concept of Operations (ConOps) development, requirements management and flowdown, interface management, and system-level fault analysis and management. As programs progress, work transitions toward spacecraft integration, verification, validation, launch preparation, and mission operations. Palo Alto, California is the preferred location, but remote candidates located within the United States will also be considered. The California base pay range is $143,000 to $238,000 annually. Starting pay depends on job-related factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. The role is incentive-eligible; the plan and target depend on the role and breadth of contributions. Eligible employees receive paid time off, health and welfare insurance, and a 401(k).

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or a related STEM discipline; four additional years of relevant experience may substitute for a degree.
At least 8 years of relevant systems engineering experience involving complex systems.
Experience working across multiple interacting hardware and software subsystems.
General understanding of spacecraft design and the spacecraft product lifecycle as it relates to systems engineering.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience supporting U.S. Government programs.
Experience with system interface definition and implementation.
Experience analyzing system faults and implementing fault protection and recovery strategies.
Experience using requirements management tools such as DOORS, Jama, or equivalent platforms.
Programming experience in C, C++, Python, or MATLAB, including developing software tools for verification activities.
Experience producing systems engineering deliverables related to system architecture, verification, and validation.
Familiarity with NASA, DoD, ECSS, or other applicable aerospace engineering standards.
Understanding of technical risk management and mitigation methodologies.
Strong communication, presentation, collaboration, and technical leadership skills.

Responsibilities

Develop system Concepts of Operations (ConOps) and operational use cases.
Lead system analyses and mission-level trade studies.
Develop, decompose, and flow down requirements at mission, system, subsystem, and component levels.
Manage system requirements throughout the development lifecycle, ensuring traceability and compliance.
Develop and maintain compliance matrices for systems and subsystems.
Establish and monitor system technical performance measures.
Develop and implement fault management architectures and strategies.
Lead customer discussions regarding system architecture and technical design decisions.
Define and manage system interfaces, interoperability, and operational requirements.
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure subsystem integration and compliance.
Identify technical risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies, and drive corrective actions to meet program milestones.
Develop and execute comprehensive system-level verification and validation plans.
Oversee spacecraft integration and testing activities, including evaluation of test results.
Lead resolution of complex cross-subsystem technical challenges and drive closure of outstanding technical actions.
As programs progress, support spacecraft integration, verification, validation, launch preparation, and mission operations.