Mission Lead Systems Engineer - TS/SCI

York Space Systems; Greenwood Village (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Holidays

Unlimited PTO

401(k) match

Job summary

York Space Systems, based in Greenwood Village and Aurora in Colorado, seeks a Mission Lead Systems Engineer to direct spacecraft missions from concept to execution. This on-site role requires leadership across engineering teams, robust customer interfacing, and deep SE expertise.

You will own requirements, system architecture, and verification plans, collaborating with customers and partners to ensure rapid mission success in a fast-paced environment.

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).
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering activities across the full spacecraft lifecycle from concept through mission execution.
• Apply innovative SE methods to accelerate progress via requirements decomposition and interface management.
• Lead small, agile teams influencing spacecraft design, integration, and mission outcomes.
• Develop, trace, and verify mission and system-level requirements; maintain baselines and configuration control.
• Interface with customers, payload partners, subsystem owners, ground segment teams, and external stakeholders.
• Motivate interdisciplinary teams to deliver system-level solutions and maintain mission cadence.
• Lead technical investigations, trade studies, risk management, and rapid system-level decisions.

Skills

Systems engineering

Leadership

Verbal/written/presentation

Customer interfacing

In-office presence

SCIF experience

TS/SCI clearance

Education

BS in Systems Engineering

Job description

York Space Systems was founded to radically improve spacecraft affordability and reliability, transforming, and enabling next- generation space mission operations worldwide. Today, York is one of the most innovative aerospace companies, specializing in end-to-end customer solutions and the rapid production of spacecraft platforms. York’s complete Space Segment Solution includes spacecraft production, payload integration, system integration & test, launch services, ground segment services, and mission operations, enabling customers to leverage York’s existing technology solutions to get to orbit rapidly and responsively. We’re looking to expand our team across the board.
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.

In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance (subject to spousal surcharge).
• Company holidays, floating holidays, and sick time.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Generous 401(k) match.

York Space Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, military or protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Must have permanent authorization to work in the United States. This policy applies to all terms and conditions or employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. YORK SPACE SYSTEMS IS AN EEO EMPLOYER.