Systems Engineer III

Iridium Satellite•Reston, VA

1d•$95,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Iridium is seeking a Systems Engineer III to join its Systems Engineering team in support of a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. The role independently delivers high-quality work and drives projects and deliverables to completion, including system requirements analysis, functional and performance analysis, system design, and system integration. The focus is on the architecture and integration of Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Ground Entry Point Management, and Fleet Operations Monitoring. The position applies systems engineering practices to ground and payload controller development and supports the definition, decomposition, and management of Space and Ground segments. It works with Project Systems Engineers, stakeholders, and teams to analyze system needs, define interfaces and operations concepts, and ensure that system designs meet technical performance targets. The role requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one; a U.S. security clearance active within the past 24 months is considered active. Applicants must be U.S. citizens because the position performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract. The position is hybrid, with at least four days per week in an Iridium office, and requires the ability to travel up to 25%. It primarily takes place in an office setting and is largely sedentary, with most work performed at a computer. Base pay is $95,000–$125,000 USD; compensation may also include company stock and an annual bonus. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) options, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, and other discounts and perks.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
At least 5 years of related systems engineering experience on complex technical projects.
Active/current Secret Security Clearance or ability to obtain a Secret Security Clearance; a U.S. security clearance active within the past 24 months is considered active.
U.S. citizenship, because the position performs under, supports, or is exposed to a U.S. government contract.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and issues.
Analytical mindset and ability to understand problems, think critically, make decisions, and develop solutions.
Comfort managing upward, communicating proactively, and asking for help when needed.
Ability to establish valuable relationships with others.
Ability to prioritize key tasks and take ownership of work.
Commitment to continuous improvement and gaining new knowledge.
Ability to work in an Iridium office at least four days per week.
Ability to travel up to 25%.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience in telecommunications, ground networks, electronic products development or manufacturing, or satellites.
Master’s degree in engineering, mathematics, or science.
Experience with programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or Shell scripting.
Working knowledge of networking protocols, routers, and switches.
Familiarity with Atlassian tools such as JIRA, R4J, Big Picture, and Confluence.
Strong knowledge of systems engineering methodologies.
Good understanding of tools and software applications that support systems engineering best practices.

Responsibilities

Apply systems engineering best practices and processes to ground and payload controller development for various projects.
Perform analysis, definition, decomposition, and management of Space and Ground segments.
Work with Project Systems Engineers in exercising technical authority over projects.
Conduct functional and performance system analysis, interface definition, concept of operations definition, and detailed trade studies.
Provide input for major reviews, including Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Operations Readiness Review (ORR).
Analyze systems to ensure designs meet technical performance targets.
Participate in modeling and simulation of new services.
Build relationships with stakeholders to understand technical needs and manage requirements and planning for assigned projects.
Apply critical thinking to support the team in developing and applying new ideas and approaches, including designing and developing existing and new systems.
Drive projects and deliverables to completion, including participating in system requirements analysis, functional and performance analysis, system design, and system integration.