Sr Principal Systems Engineer (Clearance Required)

Sierra Space; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 197,000 - 271,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with 150% match

Paid time off (3 weeks)

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr Principal Systems Engineer to lead and drive advanced system solutions across the product lifecycle. You will align teams, decompose requirements, and ensure cohesive integration of subsystems while guiding validation and verification efforts.

The role requires expertise in systems engineering, lifecycle management, and risk mitigation, with a focus on mission-critical space programs and government cloud architectures. Active Top Secret clearance is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• 18+ years of related experience or Masters + 16 years.
• Subject matter expert in Systems Engineering.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary system development programs.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage multidisciplinary system development initiatives.
• Architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple subsystems.
• Define and document system concepts of operation.
• Lead reviews, manage risks, and ensure traceability from requirements to verification.

Skills

C/C++/Python

JavaScript/Ruby

Full stack development

Systems engineering

Leadership

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree (advantage)

Tools

Cloudera

OpenShift

Kubernetes

GovCloud or GovCloud architectures

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 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 Sr Principal Systems Engineer leads and drives the development and implementation of advanced system solutions by providing alignment, connection and direction to the technical team throughout the product development lifecycle. The Sr Principal Systems Engineer champions 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 shepherd the team through technical development milestones, track performance measures and identify technical risks to arrive at a compliant and cohesive system solution. The Sr Principal Systems Engineer is Subject Matter Expert of Systems Engineering principles and has demonstrated expertise across the major systems engineering skills including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration and system verification. The Sr Principal Systems Engineer leads complex systems engineering projects and mentors and develops systems engineering skills in others. The Sr Principal Systems Engineer is a thought leader in the systems engineering field and makes groundbreaking contributions to engineering initiatives and corporate strategy, and influences systems engineering processes and methodologies at an organizational level.

In this role, you will plan and manage multidisciplinary system development initiatives and architect comprehensive systems that integrate multiple subsystems. You will resolve conflicting system requirements and ensure alignment with project objectives while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives. Leading the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures will be a key responsibility, along with defining and documenting system concepts of operation. You will plan, define, and lead development milestone reviews, manage system integration and verification activities to ensure system functionality and performance, and identify and manage technical risks while developing mitigation strategies. Additionally, you will lead enterprise-wide engineering programs, shape long-term technical strategy, and influence systems engineering processes and methodologies at an organizational level. You will also lead groundbreaking projects and research initiatives in systems engineering, ensuring innovative solutions and approaches. Effective communication with team members and stakeholders will be essential 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 master's +16 yrs experience).
• Typically 18+ years of related experience (or Masters + 16 years of experience).
• Recognized Systems Engineering Subject Matter Expert.
• Experience overseeing multidisciplinary system development initiatives, architecting comprehensive systems integrating multiple sub-systems, and resolving conflicting system requirements.
• Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Robust experience across multiple system development life cycles, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Expertise in developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.
• Advanced leadership and project management capabilities.
• An active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience or education in RPOD.
• Experience with C2 and TT&C Software Development.
• Cloudera, OpenShift, Kubernetes experience; either on or working with software, DevSecOps, etc teams.
• Extensive knowledge of spacecraft mission planning, scheduling, and orbit analysis.
• Experience with astrodynamics libraries, propagators, etc.
• Expansive experience working commercial and/or government Space Domain Awareness programs.
• Extensive experience or education in orbital mechanics.
• Ability to script, C, C++, Python, JavaScript, Ruby or related programming experience, full stack developer.
• Experience with Government Cloud Architectures (GovCloud or others).

Compensation

Pay Range

$197,313.00 - $271,305.00

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.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This position requires current/active Top Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

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.
Sierra Space is an industry-leading space and defense technology company providing satellites, spacecraft, and enabling mission systems and components. We deliver mission-proven technologies to our customers that safeguard our nation, protect space-based assets and enable space exploration.

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.