Senior Space Systems Engineer

Slingshot Aerospace; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Slingshot Aerospace is seeking a Senior Space Systems Engineer to define and design complex technical solutions across space-domain awareness, education, and intelligence. You will lead cross-functional teams, translate customer requirements into actionable designs, and ensure delivery on schedule and budget while maintaining high standards of quality and security.

Based in Colorado Springs, CO, you will collaborate with technology, growth, and sales teams, and with clients to translate

Qualifications

• 10+ years in senior engineering technical leadership roles, preferably in the space industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Engineering, Aerospace, or STEM with a focus on astrodynamics, space systems, modeling and simulation, and model-based systems engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and architecture of technical solutions for cross-domain applications.
• Provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary delivery teams throughout the lifecycle.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to translate requirements into actionable blueprints.
• Conduct workshops and demonstrations to showcase architectures to stakeholders.
• Develop strategies to mitigate technical risks and ensure on-time delivery.
• Shape the technical roadmap in collaboration with the product team.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Project management

Communication

Technical writing

Stakeholder engagement

Astrodynamics

Space systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Aerospace/STEM

Tools

Agile

Scrum

Kanban

MBSE

RF applications

Job description

Meet SlingshotAt Slingshot Aerospace, we’re on a mission to make space safer and more secure for everyone. Our work directly impacts global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and the critical infrastructure that connects our world. We’re a team of builders, thinkers, and problem‑solvers who believe that the next generation of space operations will be powered by better data and smarter software.

Meet SlingshotAt Slingshot Aerospace, we’re on a mission to make space safer and more secure for everyone. Our work directly impacts global security, disaster response, climate monitoring, and the critical infrastructure that connects our world. We’re a team of builders, thinkers, and problem‑solvers who believe that the next generation of space operations will be powered by better data and smarter software.

We move fast, we’re not afraid to fail, and we believe the best ideas can come from anywhere—whether you’re in engineering, sales, product, or operations. If you want to work on something that truly matters, with people who care deeply about the impact we’re making and help shape the future of an industry that’s just getting started, you’re in the right place.

What You’ll Be LaunchingAs a Senior Space Systems Engineer, you will play a crucial role in defining and designing technical solutions to address the unique challenges and requirements of applications ranging from space domain awareness, to space education and training, and space intelligence. You will also collaborate closely with Technology, growth, and sales teams, as well as clients and other stakeholders, to develop scalable, robust, and high‑performance solutions that translate science based capabilities, rooted in the combined fields of astrodynamics and artificial intelligence, into user‑facing data and software products that meet or exceed customer expectations.

We’re building a team of sharp, creative people who love solving hard problems. We value curiosity over ego, initiative over waiting for permission, and people who genuinely care about doing great work. Bring your expertise, your fresh ideas, and your drive—we’ll bring the rocket fuel.

Your Mission (Should you choose to accept it)

• Lead the design and architecture of technical solutions for cross domain applications, leveraging your deep understanding of systems, databases, networking, and software development principles. Analyze and define functional, non‑functional, and business requirements to inform solution designs.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to multi‑disciplinary delivery teams throughout the solution development lifecycle. Prioritize tasks, set project goals, and ensure that projects are delivered according to the roadmap, on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Engage with clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders to understand the customer’s technical requirements and distill those into functional requirements the broader delivery team can use as a blueprint for the capability required.
• Conduct workshops, presentations, and demonstrations to showcase proposed architectures and gain stakeholder buy‑in.
• Identify potential technical risks and challenges associated with solution development and implementation. Develop strategies to mitigate risks effectively and ensure the successful delivery of projects.
• Work closely with the Slingshot product team to shape the technical roadmap and vision for solution development, outlining key milestones, dependencies, and deliverables.
• Hold combined development teams accountable for meeting technical objectives and provide regular updates to management.
• Seamlessly communicate technical progress, challenges, and achievements to customers, management, and other stakeholders through clear and concise technical writing, presentations, and reports. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the engineering organization.
• Support the growth and product teams in solutioning activities, and in drafting technical content relevant to new business capture opportunities, requests for information (RFIs), requests for quote (RFQs), white papers, presentations, and customer briefings.
• Execute all position responsibilities in alignment with Slingshot’s core values, mission, and purpose.
• Form trusted working relationships with customers, end users, business partners, and fellow Slingshooters.

Pre‑flight Checklist

• Must have an active DoD TS security clearance
• Ability to regularly work in a secure environment in Colorado Springs, CO, USA
• 10+ years of experience in senior engineering technical leadership roles, preferably in the space industry.
• Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Engineering, Aerospace, or STEM with a strong focus on astrodynamics, space systems, modeling and simulation, and model‑based systems engineering or relevant field.
• Strong technical expertise in space systems, systems engineering and software development.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies (e.g. Agile, Scrum, Kanban, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with radio frequency (RF) applications.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute technical roadmaps, manage project risks, and drive results in a fast‑paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Deeply experienced with technical writing, presentation skills, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to think critically and analytically.
• Proven track record of delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget.
• Demonstrated success with classified execution.

Bonus Cargo

• Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering with a strong focus on astrodynamics, space systems, modeling and simulation, and model based systems engineering.
• Demonstrated work experience in space flight applications.
• Experience in product development.
• Highly skilled in leading technical teams of diverse expertise.

We’re building a constellation here, not looking for identical satellites. Every member of the team brings different capabilities to the same mission.

Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Salary: $115,600-$170,000

Classification: Full‑time

US‑based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following U.S. states: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV We are unable to consider candidates residing in other U.S. states at this time. Internationally‑based Candidates: we are currently only able to hire residents of the following locations: United Kingdom. We are unable to consider candidates residing in other countries at this time.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion are key to our success. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds, who share a passion for creating a safer, more connected world. Diversity not only includes race and gender identity, but also national origin, citizenship, sex, color, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic that is part of one’s identity. All of our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and we embrace individuality.