Senior Systems Developer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

*Active Top Secret Clearance required for consideration to this role*

Zachary Piper Solutions is currently seeking a Sr. Systems Engineer to support the U.S. Space Force missions and Space Systems Command weapon system portfolios based in El Segundo, CA. This position is a full-time role that will be fully onsite. As a Sr. Systems Engineer, you will play a critical role in supporting the U.S. Space Force's mission of delivering warfighter capabilities through Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power and Battle Management, Command, Control and Communications weapon system portfolios. The Horizon Program provides technical expertise across space-based and ground-based systems, enabling the development, integration, and sustainment of mission-critical national security space capabilities.

• Provide Systems Engineering expertise across the full system lifecycle, from concept development through operations, for space-based systems, ground-based systems, and command & control capabilities.
• Deliver technical oversight of design, development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, testing, production, and sustainment activities.
• Lead combined hardware/software and space/ground integration efforts with government and subcontractor teams.
• Develop operational concepts, requirements, system architectures, and verification strategies.
• Perform requirements analysis and flow-down activities while identifying and mitigating technical risks.
• Conduct Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), modeling, simulation, and analysis activities.
• Maintain configuration management of the program technical baseline.
• Support risk management processes, identify program risk areas, and implement risk reduction strategies.
• Collaborate with Government weapon system program offices to ensure mission success and warfighter capability delivery.
• Support Agile and DevOps development environments while ensuring system integration and lifecycle support.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 9+ years of systems engineering, systems integration, or related technical experience.
• Experience leading hardware/software integration and/or space/ground systems integration activities.
• Experience using Model-Based Systems Engineering tools and methodologies.
• Experience with systems architecture development and lifecycle support.
• Experience implementing Agile development practices.
• Experience applying Agile and/or DevOps processes.
• Active in-scope security background investigation (T5 or SSBI) adjudicated for SCI eligibility and enrolled in Continuous Evaluation, if applicable.
• Must be eligible and willing to obtain access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP).
• Must be willing to consent to a Polygraph examination.

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience supporting National Security Space programs or Space Control mission areas.
• Experience working within a U.S. Government weapon system program office or development environment.
• Professional certifications such as:
  • INCOSE CSEP
  • Professional Engineer (PE)
  • ITEA CTEP
  • Agile PM/PO
  • Similar industry-recognized certifications

Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000*depending on experience/LCAT placement*

Full Benefits Include:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick Leave (where required by law)

This job opens for applications on August 13, 2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Keywords: Systems Engineering, Space Systems, Space Force, Space Systems Command, National Security Space, MBSE, Model-Based Systems Engineering, Systems Integration, Systems Architecture, Requirements Management, Configuration Management, Risk Management, Agile, DevOps, Hardware Integration, Software Integration, Space-Ground Integration, Command and Control, C2, Satellite Systems, Ground Systems, Technical Baseline Management, Verification and Validation, Engineering Lifecycle Support, Defense Programs, DoD, SCI Clearance, SAP, Polygraph, Aerospace Engineering, Mission Systems, Manufacturing, Production Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Subcontractor Management. Space Force, USSF, ground systems engineer, air force, united states air force, DoD, top secret, DevOps, satellite, satellite operations, space systems command, space domain awareness, combat power, california, el segundo, requirements, zero trust, zero-trust, software systems engineering, architecture, Department of defense, continuous integration, CI/CD pipelines, agile, TS/SCI, spacecraft engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering,