Staff Systems Engineer, Mission Platforms (Aerospace)

TL;DR

Staff Systems Engineer, Mission Platforms (Aerospace): Serving as the primary systems integrator for end-to-end mission capability baselines for scalable spacecraft platforms with an accent on unifying hardware, flight software, and ground segment interfaces. Focus on driving core spacecraft platform roadmaps, executing system-level simulation, and hardening platform baselines for fleet production.

Location: Hybrid (San Jose, CA). Must be based in the US and meet ITAR/EAR requirements (US Person).

Salary: $216,000 - $242,000

Company

An end-to-end Space Systems Provider designing and operating LEO satellite constellations for Earth and climate intelligence.

What you will do

• Lead the definition and integration of holistic mission platform baselines across hardware, software, payloads, and operations.
• Partner with Business Development and Product Management to define technical roadmaps for spacecraft platform families.
• Establish and release standardized capability baselines (HW + SW + Ops) for seamless inheritance by Mission Lead Systems Engineers.
• Execute system-level simulation and V&V campaigns to ensure resource budgets and performance specifications are met.
• Shape robust fault management architectures to reduce operator toil and meet SLA requirements at scale.
• Drive systems standardization by creating reusable requirements and specifications for the spacecraft fleet.

Requirements

• M.S. or higher degree in an engineering field with 8+ years of experience in multi-disciplinary environments.
• Must be a U.S. person (citizen, national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee) to comply with ITAR/EAR regulations.
• Deep understanding of space vehicle dynamic behavior, payload integration, and mission operations.
• Proven history of integrating and delivering complex, software-intensive systems.
• Experience transitioning organizations from custom one-off projects to standardized product-line engineering.
• Strong ability to drive alignment across senior, cross-functional stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Software proficiency in Python or Julia.
• Experience with remote sensing instruments (optical, multispectral, RF) and data pipelines.
• Familiarity with requirements management, systems modeling tools, and software engineering processes.

Culture & Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Equity compensation and a 401k retirement plan.
• Paid time off: three weeks vacation, 12 paid holidays, and unlimited sick time.
• Paid parental leave and life/disability insurance.
• Work environment focused on diversity, equal opportunity, and agility.