Sr. Mission Integration Engineer, Mission and Ground Systems - Top Secret Clearance

SpaceX • Hawthorne, CA

2h • $135,000 - $215,000

About The Position

As a member of SpaceX’s Mission Management team, the Senior Mission Integration Engineer tackles technical problems from initial requirements verification through rapid prototyping, integrated testing, and operational deployment. The role works with Mission Integration Engineers and Mission Managers on the same program and related efforts, and collaborates with software, information technology, payload integration, and other disciplines to support safe and successful mission completion.

The position contributes to program performance and execution within the special programs portfolio, focusing on mission-specific systems that drive, manage, and provide user insight into programs. Based on customer requirements and SpaceX system capabilities, the engineer develops system specifications, interface control documentation, and infrastructure plans. The work spans space system command and control, operational planning, data processing, compute and networking infrastructure, integrated mission planning, payload integration, and secure implementation and execution.

The role serves as a customer-facing technical lead throughout program development and execution, from initial proposals through testing, flight, and on-orbit commissioning. It also owns ground-segment interface and architecture design and leads in-person integration efforts with external stakeholders and customers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering or science discipline.
• At least 5 years of software engineering or electrical engineering experience, working hands-on with hardware or software technical projects.
• At least 3 years of technical project management experience.
• Professional experience working with spacecraft, with a broad understanding of spacecraft command and control systems and ground-segment architectures.
• Active Top Secret, Top Secret SCI, or DOE Level Q clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with U.S. Government processes and software systems.
• Experience coordinating hardware or infrastructure deployments, including in classified or government-controlled environments.
• Familiarity with networking fundamentals, such as IP networking and switching/routing concepts.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable, expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities.
• Highly detail-oriented, hardworking, and professional, with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Spacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.
• Strong interest in innovation in process improvement and system design.
• Ability to balance conflicting opinions and manage expectations among multiple teams and customers.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the customer interface at meetings, tests, and reviews to develop operations plans, design missions, and participate in real-world operations.
• Ensure contract deliverables are completed on time and translate customer requirements into actionable development objectives.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive development; collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider necessary tradeoffs and ensure end-to-end mission success.
• Own all phases of the program, from development and initial proposal through successful test, flight, and on-orbit commissioning, including educating the customer on SpaceX designs and methodologies.
• Own ground-segment interface and architecture design, including compute infrastructure, network architecture, and software systems.
• Lead in-person integration efforts (forward-deployed engineering) with external stakeholders and customers.

Benefits

• Potential eligibility for long-term incentives in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards.
• Potential discretionary bonuses.
• Ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• Dental coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Paid parental leave.
• Various other discounts and perks.
• Ability to accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• Eligibility for 10 or more paid holidays per year.
• Paid sick leave pursuant to company policy.
• 10% differential for employees with an active clearance once officially briefed into a classified program, up to an additional $20,000 annually.

What This Job Offers

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