Lead Fault & Autonomy Engineer - Experimental Space Programs

Boeing; Seal Beach (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 207,000; Full time

Job summary

Boeing ESG seeks a Lead Fault & Autonomy Engineer in Seal Beach, CA, to drive fault and autonomy architecture for space vehicles. You will work with system architects, ConOps developers, and exchange with customers to deliver robust, autonomous solutions for first-of-kind missions.

The ideal candidate has deep experience in ACS/GNC, flight software, and spacecraft operations, with strong cross-functional leadership and a track record of delivering complex systems on tight schedules.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI clearance required.
• Bachelor of Science in engineering, etc.
• 3+ years in Satellite Systems Eng groups.
• 5+ years in systems engineering, integration or software engineering.
• 3+ years of failure analysis experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination across internal/external stakeholders to drive fault and autonomy architecture.
• Develop and present review packages to senior leadership.
• Work in fast-paced, demanding environment with minimal supervision.
• Ensure redundancy for system hardware designs to meet fault tolerance.
• Develop autonomy aligned with customer risk tolerance and handle anomalies.
• Analyze failure modes using FMECA or fault tree analysis.
• Develop onboard fault protection software requirements and spacecraft safing.

Skills

Satellite Eng

Systems engineering

Failure analysis

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor of Science

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

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.

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 a Lead Fault & Autonomy Engineer to join our team located in Seal Beach, CA, with potential options to work from El Segundo, CA or 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 major 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.

BasicQualifications (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.
• 3+ years of direct experience with Satellite Systems Engineering groups.
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering, systems integration, and/or software engineering.
• 3+ years of experience with failure analysis (performing or review).
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• Master’s degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physics or chemistry
• 7 years of systems engineering experience
• 5 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
  
  
  

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 (Lead - Level 4): $153,000 - $207,000

Applications for this position will be accepted until Aug. 13, 2026

Export Control Requirements:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R.

• 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.