Fault & Autonomy Engineer - Experimental Space Programs (Associate or Experienced)

Boeing; Seal Beach (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Boeing's Experimental Systems Group (ESG) in Seal Beach, CA, seeks an Associate or Experienced Fault & Autonomy Engineer to lead fault-tolerance and autonomy design for space vehicles. You will collaborate with diverse teams, develop architectures for space-ground systems, and guide both individual and project work to meet mission objectives.

The role emphasizes cross-functional collaboration, system-level thinking, and hands-on integration across spacecraft subsystems, with visibility to

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance required or active within past 24 months.
• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, engineering technology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science.
• 2+ years of related work experience; 1+ years in systems integration with SE processes; 1+ years in failure analysis.

Responsibilities

• Support development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions.
• Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership.
• Work proactively in a fast-paced environment.
• Ensure hardware designs have adequate redundancy for fault tolerance.
• Develop autonomy aligned with customer risk tolerance.
• Analyze failure modes via FMECA, FTA, and related methods.
• Develop software requirements for onboard fault protection and safing modes.
• Design autonomy or ground procedures to recover from failures.
• Provide on-call support for system anomalies.

Skills

Active TS/SCI clearance

B.S. in engineering/CS

Systems integration

Failure analysis (FMECA)

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor of Science in engineering/engineering technology/CS

Master's degree in engineering/CS/math/physics/chemistry

Tools

FMECA methods

Fault Tree Analysis

Job description

At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We’re committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that’s welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.

The Boeing Experimental Systems Group (ESG) has an exciting opportunity for an Associate or Experienced Fault & Autonomy Engineer to join our team located in Seal Beach, CA, with potential options to work from El Segundo, CA, Aurora, CO, or Herndon, VA based on candidate eligibility. As a Fault & Autonomy Engineer in ESG, you will have the opportunity to personally contribute to the development of new first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. The ESG portfolio consists of a range of platforms and technologies including the X‑37B, the world’s first fully autonomous reusable spaceplane, which is continuing to shape the future of space technology while currently flying its eighth mission.

As a member of our Systems Engineering Integration & Test (SEIT) Mission Design team, you will join a diverse team of system architects, Concept of Operations (ConOps) developers, fault and autonomy designers, and recommended operating procedure (ROP) authors.

As a Fault and Autonomy Engineer, you will be expected to lead coordination across all internal and external stakeholders to drive development and implementation of an optimal fault and autonomy architecture for your assigned program(s). You will serve as a core point of contact for customers and will work directly with subject matter experts across the business to quickly iterate and converge on achievable solutions that meet our customers’ needs. Our development timelines are aggressive and you will be asked to develop solutions to previously unsolved problems.

In this role, you will work in multidisciplinary teams to bring concept of operations to fruition in support of our customers’ mission objectives. You will work both as an individual contributor and as a project lead. An ideal candidate has a strong technical background across all spacecraft subsystems with particular depth in Attitude Control Systems (ACS)/Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC), flight software, or spacecraft operations as well as a strong system background spanning both space and ground domains. You will need to be able to dive into broad, minimally-defined design spaces and effectively lead integrated efforts.

Position Responsibilities

• Support technology integration for and development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions
• Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership
• Work proactively and independently in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere
• Ensure system hardware designs have adequate redundancy for required levels of fault tolerance
• Develop autonomy aligned with customer risk tolerance in the presence of anomalies
• Analyze system failure modes (via failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) or fault tree analysis)
• Develop software requirements for onboard fault protection to detect and isolate failures and transition to spacecraft safing modes
• Design autonomy or ground procedures to recover from failures
• Provide occasional on-call support for system anomalies

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience)

• This position requires an active U.S.Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).
• Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science.
• 2 + years of related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience.
• 1 + years of experience in systems integration with systems engineering processes and procedures.
• 1+ years of experience with failure analysis (performing or review).
• Experience in space systems and working with multi-discipline teams.
• Experience with systems engineering practices (requirements definition, risk identification and management, fault tree generation, FMECA, etc).

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience)

• Master’s degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry
• 3 years of systems engineering experience
• 2 years of project management experience
• Strong oral, written, and visual communication skills
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
• Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, or highly autonomous unmanned systems
• Experience with failure analysis techniques (e.g, Fault Tree, FMECA)
• Experience with spacecraft mission operations
• Broad knowledge across spacecraft subsystems
• Level 3: 5 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience

Conflict of Interest

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Relocation

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.Note:Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.

Pay & Benefits

• At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
• The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
• The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
• Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
• Summary Pay Range (Associate- Level 2): $100,300 - $135,700
• Summary Pay Range (Experienced - Level 3): $124,100 - $167,900
• Applications for this position will be accepted until Oct. 02, 2026

Export Control Requirements

• 120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Export Control Details

US based job, US Person required

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required

Relocation

This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.

Security Clearance

This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)

Visa Sponsorship

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Shift

This position is for 1st shift

Equal Opportunity Employer

Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.