Spacecraft Operations Systems Engineer III

Pace Industries, LLC; Louisville (CO); On-site; USD 119,064 - 163,713; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(k) with 150% match

Paid time off - 3 weeks

Job summary

Sierra Space in Colorado is seeking a Systems Engineer III to drive the development and integration of complex space systems. You will align stakeholders, decompose requirements, and lead verification activities across the lifecycle with cross-functional teams.

The role requires strong knowledge of requirements management, system architecture, and V&V, with opportunities to lead small teams and influence program outcomes. We offer comprehensive benefits and a path to mission‑critical projects.

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent work experience.
• Typically 5+ years of related Systems Engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of systems development lifecycle and requirements derivation.
• Experience with traceability from requirements to design and verification.

Responsibilities

• Lead system engineering activities across lifecycle, aligning stakeholders and artifacts.
• Architect, decompose, and allocate system requirements and concepts of operation.
• Oversee system integration and verification activities to ensure performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts.

Skills

Systems engineering

Requirements management

System architecture

V&V

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Physics or related field

Master's degree in Engineering/Physics or related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO EA

Rhapsody

MATLAB

SysML

Job description

Sierra Space Careers: At Sierra Space, we build the missions and systems that keep our world secure in the domain above Earth. Sierra Space team members share a spirit of innovation and collaboration and a belief that we can deliver on the boldest missions in space today. Together with our customers, we aim to safeguard our nation, sustain human presence in space, and secure the freedom of operations in low Earth orbit and beyond. Our success is measured by the trust of those who rely on what we build and deliver, and our technologies keep the United States and its allies mission-ready throughout space. We are mission-driven, and together, we are an extraordinary team.

About the Role

The Systems Engineer III contributes to the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle. The Systems Engineer III represents the viewpoint of the integrated whole during system development and works to glue segments and subsystems together via top-down decomposition of stakeholder requirements, traceability through development artifacts, and bottom-up validation and verification of the system. They help to shepherd the team through technical development milestones, track performance measures and identify technical risks to arrive at a compliant and cohesive system solution. The Systems Engineer III is an emerging leader in Systems Engineering principles and is proficient in the majority of systems engineering skills including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration and system verification. The Systems Engineer III may lead small teams to execute systems engineering scope. In this role, you will specify, architect, and integrate complex system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives. You will derive, decompose, allocate, trace, and manage system requirements and architectures, as well as define and document system concepts of operation. Supporting development milestone reviews by creating artifacts and deliverables will be a key responsibility, alongside overseeing system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance. You will identify and manage technical risks, develop mitigation strategies, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying areas for enhancement. Adhering to established engineering processes and standards will be essential, and you will communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders to ensure project alignment and successful execution.

About You

Our mission is driven by an unyielding commitment to advancing space-based technology in service of our customers and safeguarding national security. We seek individuals who are passionate about innovating beyond boundaries and relentlessly pursuing solutions that protect, preserve and empower – to join us in this critical mission. We’re looking for team members who align with our values, mission and goals – while also meeting the minimum qualifications below. The preferred qualifications are a bonus, not a requirement.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 yrs experience).
• Typically 5+ years of related experience (or Masters + 3 years of experience).
• Emerging experience in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Knowledge of systems architecture, systems integration, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles.
• Emerging ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Robust experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and frameworks, such as DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, and SysML.
• Solid understanding of spacecraft systems, including hardware and software subsystems and components.
• Solid understanding of project management methodologies including risk management and technical performance tracking.
• Solid understanding of technical baseline and configuration management.
• Experience or certification in INCOSE standards.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Compensation

Pay Range: $119,064.00 - $163,713.00 Your actual base compensation will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, experience, internal equity and market competitiveness.

Elevate Your Career

At Sierra Space, we are committed to your personal and professional development. We empower you to make profound and meaningful contributions and foster a vibrant culture of collaboration, where teamwork ignites breakthrough innovations. We also offer a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, and more.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is a mission‑proven Defense Tech company delivering satellite platforms, critical subsystems, reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions. With more than three decades of heritage and a record of flight‑proven success in space, Sierra Space is trusted by U.S. National Security, Civil customers, and global allies. Our technologies safeguard our nation, sustain human exploration in space, and ensure the freedom of operations beyond Earth. Sierra Space is defining the new era of Space Defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come.

Equal Opportunity, Accommodations

Sierra Space Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need special assistance or a reasonable accommodation related to applying for employment with Sierra Space or at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us.