Systems Engineer III, On Orbit Test Coordinator

Iridium; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Iridium seeks an experienced Systems Engineer III to support SDA operations, leading on-orbit test procedures and system engineering artifacts for ground and satellite operations. You’ll coordinate with government, vendor and operations teams, and deliver critical integration support for efficient space operations.

You will work 12-hour shifts onsite in a 24/7 multi-satellite environment, interfacing with contractors and government stakeholders and ensuring on-orbit checkout success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, OR equivalent on-orbit test experience in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in satellite operations, on-orbit testing, ground system engineering, software integration/test, and/or software development.
• Strong knowledge of system engineering methodologies and Agile processes.
• Strong familiarity with tools and software applications that support system engineering best practices.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to think critically and solve problems.
• Proactive communicator and able to manage upward.
• Ability to build valuable relationships.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and take ownership.
• Continuous self-improvement mindset.
• Skills in Low Earth Orbit satellite mechanics and operations.

Responsibilities

• Support on-orbit checkout and commissioning of satellites and ground segment activities across teams.
• Maintain and execute detailed test plans for on-orbit activities, payload activation, and subsystem checkouts.
• Coordinate with operators, analysts, vendors, contractors, and government stakeholders to execute test activities and resolve issues.
• Analyze telemetry data in real-time to assess health and performance and identify anomalies.
• Conduct root cause analyses for on-orbit anomalies and implement solutions.
• Prepare technical briefings for senior leadership on mission status and risks.
• Maintain documentation including test reports, anomaly logs, and performance reports.
• Develop and maintain test procedures for on-orbit tests.
• Distribute and maintain test procedures within SharePoint/Teams and other Iridium tools.
• Collaborate with SDA and Iridium leadership to assess risks and propose improvements to on-orbit operations.
• Provide technical writing support for Basis of Efforts documents.
• Interface between Iridium Operations and System Engineering teams on mesh network and ground segment operations.

Skills

Systems engineering

Agile processes

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Satellite operations

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace/electrical engineering or related

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

SAFe

R4J

Job description

Iridium is an award-winning satellite communications company operating the world's only truly global voice and data network, delivering reliable connectivity anywhere on Earth. For more than 20 years, Iridium has powered mission-critical communications for governments, businesses, aviation, maritime, and the rapidly expanding Internet of Things.

Now part of Iridium, Aireon is the world’s only space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time visibility of aircraft over oceans, the poles, and remote regions. Together, Iridium and Aireon are helping build a safer, more connected, and more efficient future for global aviation.

Join our team and help shape how the world stays connected. We foster a collaborative, inclusive culture where employees are empowered to innovate, grow professionally, and make a meaningful impact.

What We’re Looking For:

If you are an experienced systems engineer with a background in space systems architecture and design, and have at least 5 years of experience, you will be excited about the Systems Engineer III opening with Iridium on our SDA (Space Development Agency) Project. As a Systems Engineer III, you’ll independently deliver high-quality work and drive projects and deliverables to completion, including the development and execution of on-orbit test procedures and System Engineering artifacts that support SDA operations. You will provide critical operations and integration support to improve our efficiency and effectiveness by implementing processes, procedures, checklists, and software tools for ground and satellite operations. Working in this role, you’ll interface with the U.S. government in dealing with Iridium generated and delivered System Engineering documents that govern operations at the SDA operation centers. You’ll also focus on the design, development, and maintenance of functional on-orbit test procedures, working with multiple satellite vendors to ensure synergy of on-orbit tests, assist the SDA in the development of operational test procedures, and act as a liaison between the space contractors, ground contractors and government team during operations. You will work 12-hour shifts with a team onsite in a 24/7, multi-satellite operations environment. You will thrive in this role if you enjoy tackling complex challenges and working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

What You’ll Do:

• Be responsible for supporting the on-orbit checkout and commissioning of satellites and associated ground segment activities, coordinating technical inputs and deliverables across participating teams
• Maintain, and execute detailed test plans and procedures for a variety of on-orbit activities, including payload activation, spacecraft subsystem checkouts, and system performance validation
• Coordinate across operators, analysts, subsystem engineers, satellite vendors, contractors, and government stakeholders to execute on-orbit test activities and support timely resolution of issues
• Analyze telemetry data in real-time during checkout events to assess system health and performance, identify anomalies, and provide critical insights to the mission team
• Conduct root cause analysis for any on-orbit anomalies or performance deviations, working with design engineers and subject matter experts to develop and implement effective solutions
• Prepare and present technical briefings to senior leadership and stakeholders, providing updates on mission status, checkout progress, and any identified risks or issues
• Maintain comprehensive documentation related to the on-orbit checkout process, including test reports, anomaly logs, and final system performance reports
• Generate and develop test procedures, in conjunction with existing plans for on-orbit test procedures
• Be responsible for the disposition and maintenance of test procedures
• Work with satellite vendors to ensure synergy of on-orbit tests
• Be responsible for assigned documentation within SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, or other relevant Iridium databases or tools
• Collaborate with SDA and Iridium program leadership to assess risks and provide recommendations for improvement to on-orbit operations
• Provide technical writing assistance in the development of Basis of Efforts (BOE)
• Interface between the Iridium Operations team supporting the SDA and the Iridium System Engineering team in developing artifacts associated with the operations of the mesh network and ground segment
• Provide integration support to improve our efficiency and effectiveness by implementing processes, procedures, checklists, and software tools for ground and satellite operations

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, OR equivalent on-orbit test experience in lieu of a degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience in satellite operations, satellite on-orbit testing, ground system engineering, software integration and test, and/or software development
• Strong knowledge of system engineering methodologies and AGILE processes
• Strong familiarity with tools and software applications that support system engineering best practices
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to confidently present products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions or come up with solutions
• Be comfortable managing upward, including being a proactive communicator and asking for help when needed
• Have confidence and be able to establish valuable relationships with others
• Must be able to prioritize key tasks and have a strong sense of ownership over your work
• Be active in seeking out ways to continuously improve yourself and gain new knowledge
• Skilled at the mechanics and operations of Low Earth Orbit Satellites

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• An active/current Top-Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Top-Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
• Intelligence Community (IC) or Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition background
• Experience with orbital mechanics, space vehicle launches and early orbit functions
• Programming languages such as: Java, Java-Script, Python, Shell scripting
• Familiarity with Atlassian Tool Suite such JIRA, R4J and Confluence
• Working knowledge of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

We’ll also need you to:

• Be able to travel up to 10% of the time
• Be able to work shifts of four days on, four days off, with 12 hours a day expected per shift