Sr Systems Engineer (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space•Centennial, CO

1d•$143,700 - $197,609•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr Systems Engineer contributes to the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle. The Sr Systems Engineer champions the viewpoint of the integrated whole during system development and works to glue segments and subsystems together via top-down decomposition of stakeholder requirements, traceability through development artifacts, and bottom-up validation and verification of the system. They shepherd the team through technical development milestones, track performance measures and identify technical risks to arrive at a compliant and cohesive system solution. The Sr Systems Engineer is a promoter of Systems Engineering principles and has expertise across the major systems engineering skills including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration and system verification. The Sr Systems Engineer leads teams to execute systems engineering scope and helps to develop systems thinking in others. In this role, you will lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives. You will oversee the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures, as well as define and document system concepts of operation. Leading development milestone reviews by creating artifacts and deliverables will be a key responsibility, alongside overseeing system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance. You will identify and manage technical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement. Adhering to established engineering processes and standards will be essential, and you will communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to ensure project alignment and successful execution.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +8 yrs experience).
Typically 10+ years of related experience (or Masters + 8 years of experience).
Demonstrated expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
Progressive experience across the system development lifecycle, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
Progressive experience developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.
Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.
U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment.
Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Extensive experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and frameworks, such as DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, and SysML.
Strong understanding of spacecraft systems, including hardware and software subsystems and components.
Strong understanding of project management methodologies including risk management and technical performance tracking.
Strong understanding of technical baseline and configuration management.
Proven experience in leading projects and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers.
Experience or certification in INCOSE standards.
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives.
Oversee the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures.
Define and document system concepts of operation.
Lead development milestone reviews by creating artifacts and deliverables.
Oversee system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance.
Identify and manage technical risks, develop mitigation strategies.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement.
Adhere to established engineering processes and standards.
Communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to ensure project alignment and successful execution.
Design and maintain ground system architectures including mission operations centers, ground data systems, ground communication networks, and interfaces with launch site infrastructure and tracking stations.
Develop ground software and tools for vehicle monitoring, telemetry processing, command & control, and support pre-launch checkout, mission simulations, and ground rehearsals.
Coordinate ground segment integration with flight systems and ensure end-to-end operational readiness.
Derive, decompose, and manage technical requirements from stakeholder needs through system, subsystem, and component levels.
Manage requirements baseline changes and impact assessments across the product lifecycle.
Develop verification and validation strategies including analysis, inspection, demonstration, and test methods.
Author verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria aligned to requirements traceability.
Lead requirements reviews, trade studies, and technical audits to ensure completeness, consistency, and compliance.
Plan and execute hardware and software integration activities for spacecraft buses, payloads, and subsystems.
Coordinate interface control documents (ICDs) and manage technical interfaces across vehicle elements.
Support integration and test campaigns including functional checkout, environmental testing, and system-level qualification.
Resolve integration anomalies and troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains.
Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and mission assurance teams to ensure flight readiness.