Staff Systems Engineer
About The Position
Intuitive Machines is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to apply systems engineering expertise and lead cross-functional teams working on complex spacecraft designs. The role includes developing concepts of operations and use cases; managing, decomposing, and flowing down requirements; and managing interfaces across spacecraft elements. As programs progress, the focus shifts toward integration, verification, and validation. The preferred location is the Palo Alto, California office. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership at the spacecraft system level, connecting mission objectives and system requirements to detailed subsystem implementation. The role also includes technical oversight, risk management, resolving cross-subsystem issues, supporting proposals and new business opportunities, and fostering psychological safety and belonging. The company describes its work as space infrastructure for commercial, civil, and national security customers, with missions including NASA's SR-1 program and Space Development Agency initiatives.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, physics, or STEM field; four additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in systems engineering or real-time control of complex systems.
- Systems engineering experience across multiple interacting hardware and software subsystems.
- General understanding of spacecraft design and product life cycle.
Nice To Haves
- Experience in Guidance/Navigation/Control, Power, Thermal, or Fault Management subsystem design and verification.
- Previous experience working on United States Government programs.
- Experience with requirements management systems such as DOORS or JAMA.
- Experience developing technical processes and tailoring processes for unique programs.
- Experience coding in C, C++, Python, or Matlab and creating software tools for verification activities.
- Familiarity with system architecture, verification, and validation.
- Familiarity with NASA, DoD, ECSS, or other applicable aerospace standards.
- Familiarity with risk management.
- Good communication and presentation skills.
Responsibilities
- Support development of system Concept of Operations (ConOps) and use cases.
- Drive system analysis and mission-level trades.
- Develop, decompose, and flow requirements at mission, system, subsystem, and component levels.
- Manage requirements development and maintenance.
- Develop and maintain system budgets for mass, power, and data.
- Develop and execute full-system validation and verification plans.
- Lead customer discussions regarding system design decisions.
- Define and conceptualize interface and operability requirements.
- Generate and maintain compliance matrices for systems and subsystems.
- Facilitate collaboration across subsystem engineers to ensure compliance.
- Oversee spacecraft testing and review test results.
- Model interpersonal behaviors that promote psychological safety and belonging.
- Provide technical oversight to maintain the expected quality, rigor, and discipline of systems engineering.
- Ensure technical teams identify technical risks and opportunities, implement mitigation and action plans, and mitigate risks to meet program timelines.
- Lead resolution of complex cross-subsystem technical issues and drive closure of open actions.
- Support proposal development and explore new business opportunities that capitalize on the company's strengths.
Benefits
- Paid time off.
- Health and welfare insurance.
- 401(k).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
