Systems Architect, Staff Principal

Kratos Defense; Colorado Springs (CO); Hybrid; USD 220,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life and disability insurance

401(k) plan

ESPP

Paid time-off

Holidays

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Space Federal seeks an experienced Systems Architect, Staff Principal, to lead Satellite Ground Systems Engineering on a government program. You will guide critical segments under the Chief Engineer, coordinating with developers, test, operations, and support teams.

Ideal candidates bring 7+ years in defense/aerospace, satellite operations experience, and MBSE skills. Strong communication and leadership are essential; SECRET or higher clearance is required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in Defense/Aerospace with space-systems knowledge.
• Satellite operations experience including SOC functions or on-shift operations.
• Experience with satellite payloads and mission user needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering activities for a large-scale space ground system.
• Translate operational needs into software requirements and CONOPS for ground applications.
• Mentor junior engineers and coordinate across multiple teams (development, test, ops).

Skills

Defense/Aerospace experience

Satellite operations

Systems engineering

Requirements analysis

Lifecycle engineering

System-of-systems design

Epoch/ground software familiarity

Tools

Epoch ground system

Job description

• Salary : $220,000 USD Annually - $230,000 USD Annually
• Years Of Experience : 010

Job Description

Readiness Delivered. At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with fiscal and operational discipline. We work hard, we solve hard problems, and we look out for and take care of our customers, each other and our families. Protecting and enabling our nation and global customers through innovative aerospace solutions is what motivates us. We continually build trusted relationships with our peers, our partners and customers, and we take ownership for our actions—always striving to do the right thing. Kratos Space Federal is seeking an experienced, motivated Systems Architect, Staff Principal who will help lead Satellite Ground Systems Engineering activities on a critical government program. Specifically, the candidate will be leading critical aspects of the program under the guidance of the program’s Chief Engineer. As a leader on the program, the desired candidate should display a sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to accomplish results. Excellent communications and interpersonal relationship skills are required as the candidate will be working closely with system developers, integration, test, ops, and support personnel.

Experience and Skills

• 7+ years total experience in Defense/Aerospace industry with strong knowledge of space systems
• Satellite operations experience including on-shift crew operations, engineering support to operations, or Satellite Operations Center (SOC) functions performing or supporting satellite command and control
• Experience with satellite mission payloads and mission user needs, with familiarity across multiple payload types such as protected communications, sensor systems, and/or imagery systems
• Experience in systems engineering for large-scale, enterprise space systems, touching on at least two of the following areas: C2 Ground System, SV Bus Development, Payload Development, Mission Data Processing and User Ground Systems
• Experience with requirements analysis, decomposition, and traceability including the ability to guide model-based approaches and work effectively with systems modeling engineers
• Experience supporting the full engineering lifecycle including conceptual design, preliminary design, detailed design, verification, and validation activities
• Ability to architect and design system-of-systems solutions, connecting space segment, ground segment, and user segment perspectives while working across multiple disciplines (developers, test, operations, support personnel)
• Experience translating operational user needs into software application requirements and specifications, including user interface design, operator workflows, and CONOPS definition for ground system applications. Familiarity with satellite C2 software platforms (e.g., Epoch, similar ground system tools) is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including sense of ownership, urgency, and drive to accomplish results in cross-functional team environments. Ability to actively engage and contribute to real-time technical and architecture discussions, demonstrating syntonical reasoning across complex space, ground, and user systems. Proven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers.
• Experience supporting program management activities including cost/schedule tracking, risk management, and stakeholder coordination
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to develop and deliver effective customer presentations (design reviews, technical reports, status briefings) at multiple levels of technical detail
• Ability to obtain/maintain SECRET or higher clearance

#LI-Hybrid

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below. Individual salaries within that range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Competitive salary based on experience and education
Salary Range: $220,000-$230,000

Kratos is valued for our ability to design and deliver leading edge, resilient solutions for aerospace communication, control, awareness and mission success across a continuum of offerings—from commercial to tailored custom solutions and integrated programs. Customers trust us to stay relevant and know we are in it for the long-haul. We bring both the capability and confidence that our customers value and depend on. And we always deliver.

This posting will close within 90 days from the Posting Date.

• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as aprotected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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