Lead, Systems Engineer - Space Vehicle

Build mission-critical space vehicle systems for satellite programs that support missile warning and missile defense. In this onsite role in Palm Bay, FL, you will lead space vehicle-level systems engineering across requirements, architecture, integration, verification/validation, and lifecycle execution, serving as a key technical interface with customers and stakeholders.

What you’ll own

• Lead space vehicle-level systems engineering for satellite programs from concept through design, integration, test, launch, and mission operations support.
• Develop, decompose, allocate, and manage spacecraft system requirements to subsystem and component levels.
• Coordinate cross-functional technical efforts across systems, payload, avionics, flight software, mechanical, thermal, power, propulsion, guidance and control, integration and test, and mission operations teams.
• Own the space vehicle architecture, technical baseline, and interface definitions to maintain compatibility and support mission success.
• Drive system-level trades and performance analyses that influence capability, cost, schedule, reliability, and risk.
• Lead system integration and verification, validation, and test planning to ensure compliance with program requirements and mission objectives.
• Support major technical reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, and post-launch readiness activities, presenting technical status to internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks and opportunities spanning spacecraft design, manufacturing, integration, environmental testing, and launch vehicle interfaces.
• Collaborate with program management, production, quality, supply chain, and subcontractor teams to support successful build and delivery.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to systems engineers and cross-disciplinary teams, promoting disciplined engineering execution and continuous improvement.
• Operate in an onsite environment in Palm Bay, FL.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related STEM discipline and minimum 9 years of relevant experience.
• Graduate degree with minimum 7 years of relevant experience.
• In lieu of a degree: minimum 13 years of prior related experience.
• Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.

Preferred skills

• Experience leading space vehicle systems engineering on government, civil, or commercial satellite programs.
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration and test, environmental qualification, launch site operations, or on-orbit anomaly resolution.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), requirements management tools, and configuration management processes.
• System-level performance analysis experience (e.g., image analysis, thermal analysis, structural analysis, end-to-end performance, reliability analysis).
• Strong understanding of space vehicle design considerations across orbital regimes, including radiation, space charging, thermal, telecom, power, propulsion, disposal, and related topics.
• Familiarity with top-level mission analysis and trades such as conops, DITL, coverage maps, and revisit rates for mission formulation.
• Knowledge of interconnections between Space Segment, Ground Segment, and Launch Segment.
• Active security clearance.
• Experience with complex aerospace system development with demonstrated responsibility at the system or vehicle level.
• Experience across requirements management, interface control, system integration, verification and validation, and technical baseline management throughout the product lifecycle.
• Ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and communicate technical issues clearly to leadership and customers, including support for execution in a multi-site development environment.