Systems Engineer, Senior

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 155,000 - 195,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Savings Plan

Paid Time-Off (PTO)

Holidays

Education Reimbursement

Job summary

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions is seeking a highly motivated Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for spacecraft-to-ground-system integration, focusing on the SV2N Interface Control Document. You will support USG Satellite Ground System teams, guiding software development, systems engineering, integration, test, and operations.

Responsibilities include leading ICD development, advising cross-functional teams on interface requirements, coordinating with a spacecraft vendor, and

Qualifications

• 7–10 years in engineering roles with systems engineering focus.
• Experience with spacecraft-to-ground interfaces and satellite ground systems.
• Experience developing and managing Interface Control Documents and specs.
• Strong requirements development, decomposition, traceability, verification, and validation.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for spacecraft-to-ground-system integration.
• Advise SE, software, integration, and test teams on interface requirements.
• Lead SV2N ICD development, review, and maturation.
• Coordinate with spacecraft vendors and government stakeholders.
• Translate interface requirements into system designs and integration plans.
• Maintain awareness of mission data processing and ground-system interfaces.

Skills

Systems engineering

Spacecraft integration

Ground systems

Interface control

Requirements development

Stakeholder coordination

Technical leadership

Education

BS in SE, CS, EE, ME or engineering

Job description

Job Description

Ready for What’s Next

At Kratos, we encourage an entrepreneurial spirit balanced with discipline. We work hard, and take care of our customers, employees, and families. Recognized as thought leaders in our industry, we are motivated by creating and delivering innovative solutions to our nation and global customers. Kratos provides leading-edge capabilities for communication with satellites, spacecraft, missiles, and airborne platforms. From factory test to flight, from ground data networking to RF Links – commercial, intelligence, and defense users trust Kratos to solve their most difficult RF problems.

KRATOS is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Systems Engineer to provide technical leadership for spacecraft-to-ground-system integration, with a primary focus on the support of the development and implementation of the Space Vehicle-to-NOVA (SV2N) Interface Control Document (ICD). This individual will serve as the spacecraft Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the U.S. Government (USG) Satellite Ground System Team, providing technical guidance to software development, Systems Engineering, Systems Integration, Test, and Support teams regarding spacecraft capabilities, interfaces, operational concepts, and integration requirements. The successful candidate will serve as KRATOS's primary technical point of contact with the spacecraft vendor, facilitating communication, resolving technical questions, coordinating data exchanges, and establishing the relationships necessary to ensure successful integration between the spacecraft and the NOVA ground system. This role requires a strong combination of technical expertise, requirements development, interface management, stakeholder coordination, and leadership across multiple engineering disciplines.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Systems Engineering Leadership and Spacecraft Expertise

• Serve as the spacecraft SME for SV2N, providing technical leadership and guidance to the broader USG Satellite Ground System Team.
• Advise SE, software, integration, and test teams on spacecraft behavior, interface requirements, and implementation considerations.

Interface Control Document (ICD) Development and Management

• Lead the development, review, coordination, and maturation of the SV2N ICD.
• Ensure the ICD clearly defines spacecraft-to-ground-system interfaces, data exchanges, and implementation requirements.

Vendor Technical Coordination and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact with the spacecraft vendor.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with vendor counterparts across ground systems, spacecraft operations, flight software, test, and other relevant engineering disciplines.
• Represent KRATOS professionally and ensure interface requirements are clearly understood.

Requirements Development And Technical Implementation

• Support the translation of interface requirements into system designs, software implementations, and integration plans.
• Ensure requirements are clear, measurable, verifiable, traceable, and consistent with system architecture and operational needs.

Mission Operations and Data Processing

• Maintain awareness of mission data processing, operational workflows, and associated ground-system interfaces.
• Evaluate proposed designs and CONOPS for compatibility with spacecraft capabilities and mission requirements.

Experience And Skills

• 7 – 10 Years engineering
• BS in SE, CS, EE, ME, or other engineering equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in Systems Engineering, spacecraft integration, satellite ground systems, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft operations, spacecraft-to-ground interfaces, and satellite ground-system architecture.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and managing Interface Control Documents and technical interface specifications.
• Experience with requirements development, decomposition, traceability, verification, and validation.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation and translate spacecraft interface information into actionable system and software requirements.
• Experience working across multidisciplinary engineering teams, including software development, Systems Engineering, integration, test, and operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and technical decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to engineering teams, leadership, vendors, and government stakeholders.
• Ability to establish productive working relationships with external vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to vendor facilities as required.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Must either currently possess or have the ability to obtain a Secret clearance

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Experience developing system architecture models, interface models, and analytical models.
• Develop and maintain system design models, using established Systems Engineering methodologies and tools.
• Experience supporting system integration, test planning, verification, and operational readiness.
• Experience working with spacecraft vendors and government program stakeholders in a technically complex environment.

The grade-based pay range for this job is listed below.

Competitive salary based on experience and education

Salary Range: $155,000-$195,000

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.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• 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 Affiliated-Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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