Principal Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Terran Orbital - Irvine, CA

Full-time - Senior

Irvine, CA

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Principal Spacecraft Systems Engineer to join our growing team. Reporting to the Systems Engineering Manager, the Principal Spacecraft Systems Engineer will lead, work closely with, and be an integral part of a multidisciplinary team leading the cradle-to-grave technical definition of our products and missions. You will architect key elements of mission operations, system functional behavior and performance, and detailed design for all subsystems that support innovative, high-capability small satellites. Your work will synthesize and integrate subsystems, including space propulsion subsystems, high data rate radios, encrypted communication devices, radar systems, phased array antennas, and other satellite payloads, to name a few.

Responsibilities

• Leading and working closely with hardware, software, mechanical, mission operations, and other systems engineers to design and develop optimal architectures and detailed solutions to complex space domain missions
• Leading concept of operations development, architecture definition, mission operations baselines, and mission operations procedures
• Collaborate with Program and Product management to implement and manage schedules, knowledge management, configurations, and change management documents
• Participating and leading the technical discussions with customers and suppliers to ensure mission success
• Lead and take responsibility for technical reviews to ensure appropriate milestone maturity meets internal and external expectations
• Managing requirements to ensure maturity, feasibility, proper flow-down and traceability, requirements verification, and requirements validation
• Perform mission, system, and vehicle level trade studies to balance risk, cost, and performance
• Supporting assembly, integration, and test activities including build procedures, test plans/procedures, and other verification and validations execution activities
• Develop systems engineering artifacts that support requirements and architecture development; modeling and simulation; cybersecurity; network operations; interoperability; verification and validation testing; and enterprise deployment and capability monitoring
• Participating in team discussions involving vehicle architecture and design for future projects
• Establish standard operating procedures that support mission assurance, risk mitigation, and contingency plans to assure required mission 'up time' for all ground activities
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define interfaces; integrate mission applications and data storage; and verify Terran Orbital enterprise capabilities
• Implement life cycle systems engineering best practices

Requirements

• Proven experience in spacecraft systems engineering
• Strong understanding of satellite subsystems including propulsion, communication, and payload systems
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and projects
• Ability to perform trade studies and manage requirements effectively
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with modeling and simulation tools
• Familiarity with cybersecurity practices in space systems
• Knowledge of mission operations and procedures

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health insurance
• 401k plan
• Paid time off
• Professional development opportunities