Contract Lead Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

YOUR MISSION

We are seeking a Staff or Principle Systems Engineer to join our team as a Lead Systems Engineer (LSE) in developing and integrating cutting-edge aerospace and defense systems. In this role you will play a critical role in defining, analyzing, and ensuring the successful implementation of mission requirements across complex, mission-critical space systems, supporting national defense initiatives, and advancing technologies in autonomous space operations. The Lead Systems Engineer (LSE) has ownership and responsibility over the requirements, verification, and validation (RV&V) efforts. The LSE is responsible for execution of day-to-day SE process, integration of MBSE and requirements tools, and leads gate review execution activities. The LSE oversees the daily activities, tasking, and prioritization of activities of program Systems Engineers. The LSE is for leading RV&V efforts, including requirements definition, decomposition, verification, and validation products. This includes products required to perform validation and verification not allocated to other teams, such as Test Plans. The LSE is responsible for guiding interface definition and leads mission and vehicle level gating reviews. The LSE has approving authority with the Chief Engineer for accepting hardware for vehicle integration. The LSE leads or delegates authority for Engineering Review Boards (ERB) and Failure Review Boards (FRBs).

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Systems Engineering team supports multiple programs and disciplines. We are seeking talented, flexible engineers with varying skillsets. In addition to the roles above, as a member of this team, you may:

• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
• Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions, ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
• Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure optimal system architecture design.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
• Develop system-level integration and verification plans, conducting end-to-end testing to validate mission requirements.
• Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness.
• Support mission operations teams during testing and real-time mission execution.
• Conduct system performance analysis, including reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness, under various environmental conditions.
• Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Identify and analyze mission risks related to complex space missions, including collision risks and operational uncertainties.
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans for safe and reliable mission execution.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Staff level: 12+ years full lifecycle experience, including leading a vehicle through design, test, and verification 
• Principal level: 15+ years full lifecycle experience, including leading a vehicle through design, test, and verification 
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience
• Proven leadership in design, analysis, and verification on a major aerospace program 
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with ability to lead technical trades 
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical rigor with schedule and program realities 
• Strong systems engineering and technical leadership background across mechanical, electrical, and software domains 
• Strong background in systems engineering practices: requirements, verification, trade studies, interface control, and failure analysis
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and coordinate across hardware and software boundaries
• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field
• S. Citizen and eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering
• Strong track record leading cross-functional engineering teams and managing design-to-delivery cycles 
• Demonstrated expertise with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Background in range certification, test readiness reviews, and safety boards
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience in defense or classified space missions.
• Familiarity with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA mission standards and processes
• Experience working with government agencies, primes, or subcontractors on space missions. 

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary Staff : $155,000-$300,000
• Base Salary Principal: $155,000- $315,000
• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave 

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location-this a fully onsite position based out of our Centennial, CO or Long Beach, CA office.
• Work environment-the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands-the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. #LI-Onsite