Sr Systems Engineer, Software

sierraspace; Centennial (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a Sr Systems Engineer to guide the design, integration, and verification of complex space-system solutions. You will lead requirements management, architecture development, and operation concepts across cross-functional teams in a rigorous systems engineering process.

You will drive milestone reviews, ensure traceability, and champion system-level thinking while identifying risks and mitigation strategies to deliver cohesive, high-performance solutions for space missions.

Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +8 yrs experience).
• Typically 10+ years of related experience (or Masters + 8 years of experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions with cross-functional teams.
• Oversee derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures.
• Define and document system concepts of operation and lead milestone reviews with artifacts and deliverables.
• Identify and manage technical risks and develop mitigation strategies, ensuring an integrated and compliant system solution.

Skills

Systems Engineering

Requirements management

System architecture

V&V

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

DOORS

CAMEO EA

Rhapsody

MATLAB

SysML

Python

C++

C#

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 Sr Systems Engineer 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 Sr 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 Systems Engineer is a promoter of Systems Engineering principles and has expertise across the major systems engineering skills including requirements management, system architecture development, concept of operation definition, system integration and system verification. The Sr Systems Engineer leads teams to execute systems engineering scope and helps to develop systems thinking in others.

In this role, you will lead the specification, architecting, and integration of complex system solutions while collaborating with cross-functional teams and subject matter experts to understand project requirements and objectives. You will oversee the derivation, decomposition, allocation, tracing, and management of system requirements and architectures, as well as define and document system concepts of operation. Leading 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 effectivelywith 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 +8 yrs experience).
• Typically 10+ years of related experience (or Masters + 8 years of experience).
• Demonstrated expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a comprehensive understanding of the systems development lifecycle.
• Progressive experience across the system development lifecycle, including requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.
• Progressive experience developing systems architecture and performing systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V) activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience managing requirements, feature definition, and test criteria for satellite ground software systems.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft systems and classified enterprise ground systems, including hardware and software subsystems.
• Knowledge of satellite ground software standards and message flows (CCSDS, OMS/UCI).
• Experience with Requirements Management and Model-Based Systems Engineering tools (DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, SysML).
• Proficiency in programming languages (Python, C++, C#) and scripting for automation.
• Solid software development foundation with experience in modern programming languages and practices.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies and DevSecOps practices.

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