Senior Satellite Bus Engineer

systemstechnologyforum; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 149,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Plans

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Systems Technology Forum LTD (STF) seeks a Senior Satellite Bus Engineer to support the MUOS program in Space Systems Command, El Segundo, CA. You will guide design, integration, and test of the satellite bus and subsystems to ensure system-level performance for the new narrowband satellites.

The ideal candidate has a strong spacecraft bus engineering background and experience with DoD space programs. This is a hands-on, technically deep role that requires on-site work and collaboration with

Qualifications

• 10+ years direct spacecraft hardware engineering in bus design.
• Experience in payload and bus system design, integration, testing.
• Familiarity with MIL-STD and DoD space requirements.
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Must live within commuting distance of El Segundo, CA to conduct business at the spacecraft vendor's facilities. Travel to San Diego may be required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as on-site technical plant representative at vendor facility 2–3 days per week.
• Provide senior-level spacecraft bus engineering support for MUOS spacecraft.
• Lead or contribute to design, analysis, integration, and testing of bus subsystems (power, thermal, structure, A/C, attitude control, guidance and navigation, propulsion, and data handling).
• Support system engineering activities such as requirements development, allocation, verification, and validation.
• Coordinate with payload, mission management, and SSC engineering teams for bus-payload test & integration activities; identify and mitigate risks.
• Conduct trade studies and risk evaluations to support technical decisions.
• Prepare, review, and update technical documentation including specifications, ICDs, technical reports, and test plans.
• Participate in program reviews and on-orbit readiness tasks.
• Interface with vendors to verify design alignment with requirements and resolve discrepancies.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a collaborative environment.

Skills

Spacecraft bus design

Power, RF, Propulsion, Structures

DoD space programs

MIL-STD familiarity

Requirement development

On-site in El Segundo

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field

Job description

** Security Clearance Required

Company Overview

Systems Technology Forum LTD (STF) is an established industry partner with a passion for exceptional performance and an unwavering commitment to our clients. As a premier provider of management, engineering, information technology, and logistics services, STF is committed to delivering high-quality systems engineering, technical and professional support services that meet and exceed deliverable requirements.

STF offers superior out-of-the-box solutions to end-to-end problems and customer-centric support to the United States Government, Military, Department of Defense (DoD), and other federal agencies.

Job Summary

STF is seeking a Senior Satellite Bus Engineer to support the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) program within Space Systems Command located in El Segundo, CA. In this role, you will help guide the design, development, integration, and testing of the satellite bus and subsystems, ensuring system‑level performance for the new mission‑critical narrowband Satellites. The ideal candidate has strong spacecraft bus engineering expertise and experience supporting Department of War (DoW) space programs.This is a highly technical, hands‑on engineering role requiring deep, subsystem‑level spacecraft hardware expertise rather than program or project management experience.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Serve as the primary, on-site technical plant representative at the vendor manufacturing facility for 2–3 days per week, providing direct, hands‑on engineering oversight of satellite design, assembly, integration, and testing activities.
• Provide senior‑level spacecraft bus engineering support for new MUOS spacecraft.
• Lead or contribute to the design, analysis, integration, and testing of satellite bus and subsystems, including power, thermal, structure, attitude control, guidance and navigation, propulsion, and command/data handling systems.
• Support system engineering activities such as requirements development, allocation, verification, and validation.
• Coordinate with payload, mission management, and SSC engineering teams to ensure seamless bus‑payload test & integration activities, including spacecraft risk identification and mitigation.
• Conduct trade studies, assessments, and risk evaluations to support critical technical decisions related to space systems .
• Prepare, review, and update technical documentation including specifications, ICDs, technicalreports, and test plans.
• Participate in key program reviews (e.g. SRRs, PDRs, CDRs, TRRs, LRRs) and support on‑orbit readiness review tasks.
• Interface with the spacecraft vendor and ground segment vendor to verify design alignment with program requirements, track compliance throughout development, and resolve technical discrepancies that could impact system performance.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a collaborative engineering environment.

Qualifications and Skills

Required knowledge and years of experience

• Minimum 10 years of direct spacecraft hardware engineering experience (e.g. Power, RF, Propulsion, and/or Structures) in satellite bus design, manufacturing, and assembly.
• Demonstrated technical experiencein payload and bus system design, integration, and testing.
• Familiarity with MIL‑STD and DoD space and ground system requirements.
• Strong analytical, communication, and technical documentation skills.
• Experience in technical risk management.
• Must live within local commuting distance of El Segundo, CA to conduct business at the spacecraft vendor's manufacturing facilities. Periodic travel to San Diego will be required.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Clearance Requirement

TS/SCI clearance.

Salary

The minimum salary starts at $165,000 and the max is negotiable based on experience

Benefits and Perks

At STF, we recognize that talented employees are the foundation of our success

STF provides benefits and compensation packages to help our employees meet the diverse and changing needs throughout their careers and lives.

Benefits packages include the following:

• Medical Plans administered through United HealthCare
• Vision and Dental Plan Benefits
• 401(k) Tax‑Deferred Retirement Plan
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Dependent / Medical Care Flexible Spending Account
• Direct Deposit
• Health and Welfare Medical
• Holiday Leave
• Industry Competitive Salaries
• Life Insurance (basic and supplemental)
• Paid Time Off / Annual Comprehensive Personal Leave
• Performance / Award Bonuses
• Professional Development Coursework
• Technical Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• TotalChoice™ Voluntary Benefits
• STF Cares / Paid Time Off to Volunteer

Equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities

#IND123