Mission Lead Systems Engineer - TS/SCI

York Space Systems; Greenwood Village (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

York Space Systems in Colorado is seeking a Mission Lead Systems Engineer to steer space vehicle missions, driving technical execution and system integration in a fast-paced, on-site environment at Greenwood Village and Aurora facilities.

You will own system-level requirements, lead cross-functional teams, manage risks and trade studies, and interface with customers and payload partners to ensure mission success. TS/SCI clearance is required.

Qualifications

• BS in Systems Engineering or a related technical field.
• 8+ years as a systems engineer or in a broad technical leadership role.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering across the spacecraft lifecycle from concept to mission execution.
• Apply innovative SE methods and manage requirements, interfaces, and baselines.
• Direct cross‑functional teams to influence design, integration, and mission outcomes.
• Develop, derive, allocate, trace, and verify mission and system requirements.
• Interface with customers, payload partners, subsystem owners, and ground teams.
• Lead risk assessments, trades studies, and rapid system‑level decision making.
• Maintain configuration control and V&V plans for assigned missions.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support programs.

Skills

Systems engineering leadership

SE V model experience

Customer interfacing

Team leadership

Clear communication

SCIF familiarity

TS/SCI clearance

Education

BS in Systems Engineering

Job description

We’re expanding our team and looking for bold, driven engineers who thrive in fast-paced environments and want to make a lasting impact.

As a Mission Lead Systems Engineer, you will lead the charge on space vehicle missions, driving technical execution and championing the disruption that comes with our programs. You’ll have the autonomy to shape entire missions, the support to grow your expertise, and the opportunity to make a real difference in the future of space operations.

This role is fully on site in the Denver area, with work performed at both our Greenwood Village, Colorado office and an offsite facility in Aurora, Colorado.

Responsibilities

• Lead and Drive:Direct systems engineering activities across the full spacecraft lifecycle, from concept development and system architecture through integration, verification, and mission execution to ensure rapid deployment and mission success.
• Champion Disruption:Challenge legacy approaches by applying innovative systems‑engineering methods, accelerating technical progress through efficient requirements decomposition, interface management, and system‑level decision making.
• Amplify Impact:Operate within small, highly agile engineering teams where your system‑level leadership influences spacecraft design, subsystem integration, and mission outcomes.
• Own Outcomes:Develop, derive, allocate, trace, and verify mission and system‑level requirements. Maintain technical baselines, V&V plans, and configuration control for assigned missions.
• Forge Partnerships:Serve as a primary technical interface with customers, payload partners, subsystem owners, ground segment teams, and external mission stakeholders to ensure alignment across the system architecture.
• Inspire Teams:Motivate interdisciplinary engineering groups to deliver system‑level solutions, resolve blockers, and maintain mission cadence through proactive technical leadership.
• Solve Problems:Lead technical investigations, perform trade studies, manage risks, and make rapid system‑level decisions that ensure spacecraft performance and mission reliability.
• Be Adaptable:Perform other duties as assigned to support programs and the Company.

Required Qualifications

• BS in Systems Engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years as a systems engineer or in a broad technical leadership role (chief systems engineer, product lead, team lead). Title and salary will be commensurate with experience.
• Self-starter, autonomous executor, and willing to stretch beyond current knowledge areas.
• Deep understanding of the SE ‘V’, program execution, and space vehicle design/test.
• Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills; adept at customer interfacing.
• Proven ability to engage and motivate multidisciplinary teams, while working at least 4 days in office, including greater than 50% of your time in a SCIF.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.

Preferred for the Role

• Direct experience delivering spacecraft missions across all stages of the program lifecycle.