Senior Space Systems Engineer – On-Orbit Testing

Iridium; Grand Forks Air Force Base (ND); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Iridium is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer III for the SDA project. You will lead on-orbit checkout activities, develop and execute test procedures, and coordinate with satellite vendors and government stakeholders in a 24/7 multi-satellite operations environment.

The role requires a Top-Secret Security Clearance and involves 12-hour shifts with four days on, four days off, onsite. Base pay ranges from $90,000 to $120,000 USD annually, with additional benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field
• 5+ 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
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for supporting the on-orbit checkout and commissioning of satellites and associated ground segment activities
• Maintain, and execute detailed test plans and procedures for a variety of on-orbit activities
• Coordinate across operators, analysts, subsystem engineers, satellite vendors, contractors, and government stakeholders to execute on-orbit test activities
• Analyze telemetry data in real-time during checkout events to assess system health and performance
• Conduct root cause analysis for on-orbit anomalies or performance deviations
• Prepare and present technical briefings to senior leadership and stakeholders
• Maintain comprehensive documentation related to the on-orbit checkout process
• 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
• Work with satellite vendors to ensure synergy of on-orbit tests
• Be responsible for assigned documentation within SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or other relevant Iridium databases or tools
• Collaborate with SDA and Iridium program leadership to assess risks and provide recommendations for improvement to on-orbit operations
• Provide technical writing assistance in the development of Basis of Efforts (BOE)
• Interface between the Iridium Operations team supporting the SDA and the Iridium System Engineering team
• Provide integration support to improve our efficiency and effectiveness by implementing processes, procedures, checklists, and software tools for ground and satellite operations

Skills

Satellite operations

Test procedures

System engineering

AGILE processes

Education

Bachelors degree in aerospace engineering or related field

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Python

Job description

Iridium is seeking an experienced Systems Engineer III for the SDA project. You will lead on-orbit checkout activities, develop and execute test procedures, and coordinate with satellite vendors and government stakeholders in a 24/7 multi-satellite operations environment.

The role requires a Top-Secret Security Clearance and involves 12-hour shifts with four days on, four days off, onsite. Base pay ranges from $90,000 to $120,000 USD annually, with additional benefits.