Senior Space Systems Engineer & On-Orbit Test Lead

Iridium Communications Inc; North Dakota; On-site; USD 115,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Annual bonus

Medical insurance

401(k)

Job summary

Iridium Communications Inc is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for the SDA project to lead on-orbit checkout activities and coordinate cross‑functional teams. You will develop test plans, analyze telemetry, and resolve anomalies, interfacing with government and contractor teams.

The role requires 8+ years in satellite operations and AGILE practices, with strong communication and documentation skills. Office-based, with 12‑hour shifts in a 24/7 operations environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, OR equivalent on-orbit test experience in lieu of a degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience in satellite operations, satellite on-orbit testing, ground system engineering, software integration and test, and/or software development
• Strong knowledge of system engineering methodologies and AGILE processes
• Strong familiarity with tools and software applications that support system engineering best practices
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently, and recognize and adapt to different communication techniques
• Ability to analyze situations, generate effective solutions, and see them through to completion
• Creativity and resourcefulness to make reliable decisions and determine methods on new assignments
• Thrive in a dynamic environment handling multiple tasks and shifting priorities
• Be proactive in sharing knowledge with others
• Skilled at the mechanics and operations of Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Responsibilities

• Lead the on-orbit checkout and commissioning of a satellite and its ground segment, serving as the primary technical point of contact for all related activities
• Develop, author, and execute detailed test plans and procedures for on-orbit activities, including payload activation, spacecraft subsystem checkouts, and system performance validation
• Coordinate and lead integrated test teams, including operators, analysts, and subsystem engineers, to ensure seamless execution of on-orbit checkout procedures and anomaly resolution
• Analyze telemetry data in real-time during checkout events to assess system health and performance, identify anomalies, and provide critical insights to the mission team
• Conduct root cause analysis for on-orbit anomalies or performance deviations, working with design engineers and subject matter experts to develop solutions
• Prepare and present technical briefings to senior leadership and stakeholders on mission status and risks
• Develop and maintain documentation related to the on-orbit checkout process, including test reports, anomaly logs, and performance reports
• Generate and develop test procedures, in conjunction with existing plans for on-orbit test procedures
• Be responsible for the disposition and maintenance of test procedures
• Generate and develop System Engineering documentation as it relates to SDA Operations
• Work with satellite vendors to ensure synergy of on-orbit tests
• Manage documentation within SharePoint, Teams, or other Iridium databases
• Collaborate with SDA and Iridium leadership to assess risks and improve on-orbit operations
• Provide technical writing assistance in Basis of Efforts (BOE)
• Interface between Iridium Operations SDA and System Engineering teams for mesh network and ground segment operations
• Provide integration support to improve efficiency by implementing processes and tools for ground and satellite operations

Skills

Systems engineering

AGILE processes

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Telemetry analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace/electrical engineering

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Iridium Communications Inc is seeking a Senior Systems Engineer for the SDA project to lead on-orbit checkout activities and coordinate cross‑functional teams. You will develop test plans, analyze telemetry, and resolve anomalies, interfacing with government and contractor teams.

The role requires 8+ years in satellite operations and AGILE practices, with strong communication and documentation skills. Office-based, with 12‑hour shifts in a 24/7 operations environment.