Sr Systems Integration Engineer - SW

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

Job summary

Sierra Space is seeking a systems software engineer to ensure flight software integrates with avionics, payloads, and ground support equipment. You will support automated test benches (FlatSat) and validate interfaces to certify satellite readiness.

The role emphasizes software verification campaigns, interface management, and end-to-end mission simulations, with a requirement for a Secret clearance. Join a mission-driven aerospace team.

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 expertise 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.
• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required

Responsibilities

• Drive proactive Software architecture decisions across the program
• Lead engineering team focused on cohesive software design
• Advise SV Lead and Chief Engineer on system-level impacts and risks related to software
• Responsible for software interface management.
• Support the FlatSat / HITL: Support the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) and FlatSat environments used to test flight software on real and simulated hardware.
• Interface validation: Validate driver-to-hardware communication, ensuring flight software accurately commands and ingests telemetry from sensors, actuators, and payloads.
• Build and release management: Manage the deployment, configuration, and flashing of software builds onto engineering models and flight computers.
• Day-in-the-Life (DITL) testing: Orchestrate end-to-end mission simulations to test how the software handles nominal operations and stressful orbital transitions.
• Fault Management (FDIR) validation: Supports the injection of hardware and data faults into the system to verify the software detects, isolates, and recover from anomalies autonomously.
• Leads software test definition and planning
• Provides first level support to AI&T for software defects.
• Responsible for ensuring software defects are closed.
• Design mechanical systems and aircraft structures from concept through production and flight test.
• Support integration, manufacturing, ground test, and flight operations, incorporating lessons learned into future designs.
• Continuously improve engineering workflows, design standards, and digital engineering capabilities as the team grows.

Skills

Python

C/C++

RTOS knowledge

Test automation

System engineering

Embedded Linux

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

NASA cFS

F' (F Prime)

COSMOS

OpenMCT

Git CI/CD

FlatSat/HITL tooling

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

Functionally reporting to the Systems Engineering Department and deployed directly to a satellite program, you will ensure that the flight software (FSW) integrates flawlessly with the physical avionics, payloads on the SV and the Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) and between the SV and ground. You will support the build, maintenance, and running of the automated test benches (like FlatSats), validate hardware-software interfaces, and orchestrate the software verification campaigns required to certify the satellite is stable and ready for space.

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.

Responsibilities:

• Drive proactive Software architecture decisions across the program


• Lead engineering team focused on cohesive software design


• Advise SV Lead and Chief Engineer on system-level impacts and risks related to software


• Responsible for software interface management.


• Support the FlatSat / HITL: Support the Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) and FlatSat environments used to test flight software on real and simulated hardware.


• Interface validation: Validate driver-to-hardware communication, ensuring flight software accurately commands and ingests telemetry from sensors, actuators, and payloads.


• Build and release management: Manage the deployment, configuration, and flashing of software builds onto engineering models and flight computers.


• Day-in-the-Life (DITL) testing: Orchestrate end-to-end mission simulations to test how the software handles nominal operations and stressful orbital transitions.


• Fault Management (FDIR) validation: Supports the injection of hardware and data faults into the system to verify the software detects, isolates, and recover from anomalies autonomously.


• Leads software test definition and planning


• Provides first level support to AI&T for software defects.


• Responsible for ensuring software defects are closed.


• Design mechanical systems and aircraft structures from concept through production and flight test.


• Support integration, manufacturing, ground test, and flight operations, incorporating lessons learned into future designs.


• Continuously improve engineering workflows, design standards, and digital engineering capabilities as the team grows.

Scope of Responsibility

• Software System Design & Analysis


• Software/Hardware Integration


• Software ICD Collection

Technical Skills:

• Languages: Proficiency in Python/Ruby (for test automation and scripting) and comfort navigating C/C++ (the language of most flight software).


• Embedded & OS: Experience working with Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS like FreeRTOS, RTEMS, or VxWorks) or embedded Linux.


• Data Protocols & Infrastructure: Understanding of hardware communication protocols (UART, SPI, I2C, CAN, SpaceWire) and Git-based CI/CD pipelines.


• Tooling: Familiarity with satellite command and telemetry software frameworks (e.g., NASA's cFS, F' [F Prime], COSMOS, or OpenMCT).

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 expertise 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.


• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field.


• Robust experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems