Senior Space Systems Architect — Ground Systems & Mission Ops

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability

401(k) Savings Plan

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Space Federal seeks a Senior Systems Architect to lead satellite ground systems engineering on a critical government program. You will guide key aspects under the Chief Engineer, showing ownership, urgency, and drive to deliver results.

Collaborate with system developers, integration, test, and operations; strong communication and leadership are essential. Familiarity with Epoch-like ground tools is desirable; ability to obtain SECRET clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years total experience in Defense/Aerospace with space systems.
• Satellite operations experience on-shift crew operations or SOC functions.
• Experience with satellite payloads across multiple payload types (protected comms, sensors, imagery).
• Systems engineering for large-scale enterprise space systems across C2 Ground, SV Bus, Payload, or Mission Data Processing.
• Requirements analysis, decomposition, traceability; MBSE familiarity.
• Full engineering lifecycle experience: design through verification and validation.
• Ability to architect system-of-systems across space/ground/user segments; cross-functional.

Responsibilities

• Lead critical aspects of satellite ground systems engineering on a government program.
• Coordinate with Chief Engineer and program stakeholders across disciplines.
• Architect system-of-systems solutions linking space, ground, and user perspectives.
• Translate user needs into software requirements and CONOPS; work with C2 platforms.
• Support program management: cost/schedule/risk tracking and stakeholder coordination.
• Deliver design reviews, technical reports, and customer briefings.

Skills

Space/Defense exp

Satellite ops

Payload knowledge

Sys engineering

Requirements analysis

Lifecycle engineering

System-of-systems

Leadership

Program mgmt

Clearance eligible

Excellent comms

Job description

Kratos Space Federal seeks a Senior Systems Architect to lead satellite ground systems engineering on a critical government program. You will guide key aspects under the Chief Engineer, showing ownership, urgency, and drive to deliver results.

Collaborate with system developers, integration, test, and operations; strong communication and leadership are essential. Familiarity with Epoch-like ground tools is desirable; ability to obtain SECRET clearance is required.