Systems Engineer, Staff

Redwire; Goleta (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwire Space in Goleta, CA is seeking a Staff Systems Engineer to drive complex system architecture, lead multi‑disciplinary engineering efforts, and guide requirements, verification planning, and test execution across programs. This senior technical leadership role influences strategy and supports key customer and internal stakeholders for mission success.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in aerospace systems, experience leading cross‑functional teams, and a strong background in architecture,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s with 8+ years.
• Spacecraft or complex aerospace systems experience.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering efforts and influencing technical direction at the program level.
• Strong understanding of system architecture, requirements flowdown, and verification strategies for space hardware.
• Ability to lead complex engineering tasks with minimal direction and serve as a technical authority for both internal teams and customers.
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Visa sponsorship not available).

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Technical Lead or Systems Architect on major programs and high‑complexity satellite subsystems.
• Define system architecture, interfaces, and verification strategy at the program level.
• Lead and oversee Requirements and Verification Management activities, including customer engagement, requirements decomposition, and technical negotiation.
• Approve and maintain verification matrices; drive verification closure across all engineering functions.
• Lead Systems Engineering content for design and verification reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and present to leadership/customers.
• Provide technical leadership to cross-functional teams (Design, Analysis, Manufacturing, Quality, Test, Supply Chain).
• Drive development of program‑level verification/validation plans; assess readiness and test strategy.
• Own development/execution strategy for solar array subsystem acceptance, qualification, environmental tests.
• Oversee creation/configuration of System Engineering documentation (specs, SOWs, SDRLs, verification plans, test procedures).
• Lead technical issue resolution during hardware integration and test at all levels.
• Analyze test data, lead anomaly investigations, and drive root-cause/corrective action.
• Interface with external test facilities, vendors, and customer technical representatives.
• Develop/present high‑visibility review packages to executives and customers.
• Champion continuous improvement in systems engineering processes, tools, methodologies.
• Mentor/coaching for engineers; contribute to organizational capability development.
• Partner with Program Management on strategy, risk, schedule, and verification status.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Requirements flowdown

Verification planning

Test execution

Mentorship

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree

Tools

JAMA

MATLAB

Python

Job description

Where dreams and reality collide and the output is, out of this world. At Redwire Space, we are a team of dreamers and doers. Where the impossible becomes possible, and every day is an opportunity to learn and get one step closer to knowing the unknown. Join us on our mission to expand humanity’s presence in space.

We currently have an opportunity for a Staff Systems Engineer to join our Systems team in Goleta, CA. In this senior technical leadership role, you will drive complex system architecture definition, lead multi‑disciplinary engineering efforts, and guide programs through all phases of requirements development, verification planning, and test execution. You will influence engineering strategy across projects of varying complexity and support key customer and internal stakeholders to ensure mission and business success.

As a Staff Systems Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority in areas such as Requirements and Verification Management, System Architecture, Solar Array Power System analysis, and Test Campaign definition. You will provide mentorship to engineers across the organization and shape best practices for current and future programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Technical Lead or Systems Architect on major programs and high‑complexity satellite subsystems
• Define system architecture, interfaces, and verification strategy at the program level
• Lead and oversee Requirements and Verification Management activities, including customer engagement, requirements decomposition, and technical negotiation
• Approve and maintain verification matrices; drive verification closure across all engineering functions
• Lead Systems Engineering technical content for major design and verification reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and present to both internal leadership and external customers
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to cross-functional teams (Design, Analysis, Manufacturing, Quality, Test, and Supply Chain)
• Drive development of comprehensive program‑level verification and validation plans; assess readiness and overall test strategy
• Own the development and execution strategy for solar array subsystem acceptance, qualification, and environmental test campaigns
• Oversee creation and configuration control of program‑level Systems Engineering documentation including specifications, SOWs, SDRLs, verification plans, test procedures, and compliance reports
• Lead technical issue resolution during hardware integration and test at all levels (component, EDU, qualification, and flight)
• Analyze test data, lead anomaly investigations, and guide engineering teams to root‑cause closure and corrective action
• Serve as the primary technical interface for external test facilities, vendors, and customer technical representatives
• Develop and present high‑visibility technical review packages to executive management and customers
• Champion continuous improvement in systems engineering processes, tools, and methodologies
• Mentor and coach junior and senior systems engineers; contribute to organizational capability development in systems engineering
• Partner with Program Management on program strategy, risk, schedule, and verification status at the system level

Ideal Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline with 10+ years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree with 8+ years
• Demonstrated expertise in spacecraft or complex aerospace systems
• Proven experience leading multi‑disciplinary engineering efforts and influencing technical direction at the program level
• Strong understanding of system architecture, requirements flowdown, and verification strategies for space hardware
• Ability to lead complex engineering tasks with minimal direction and serve as a technical authority for both internal teams and customers
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Visa sponsorship not available)

Desired Skills

• Experience leading requirements development and verification for flight hardware programs
• Demonstrated success planning and executing qualification and acceptance test campaigns
• Experience with requirements management software tools such as JAMA
• Experience with modeling or simulation tools such as MATLAB or Python
• Familiarity with spaceflight materials, processes, environmental qualification, and test methods
• Experience guiding or reviewing CAD‑based design activities
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences
• Ability to mentor and develop engineers across multiple disciplines

Grow with us as we innovate the next generation capabilities for a new era of space exploration! We offer a highly competitive benefits package along with a commitment to our core values of Integrity, Innovation, Impact, Inclusion, and Excellence.

Pay Range

$130,000 - $175,000/yr.

How We Determine What We Pay (Compensation Philosophy)

Redwire determines pay for positions using local, national, and industry‑specific survey data, for our locations throughout the US. We will evaluate external equity and the cost of labor/prevailing wage index, in the relative marketplace for jobs directly comparable to jobs within our company.

For new hires, we strive to make competitive offers allowing the new employee room for future growth. Salaries will be based on the applicant’s level of experience, education, and specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, we consider the external market rate, the amount we have budgeted internally, and internal equity within the company for the same position. An employee/candidate with a stronger skill set will receive higher pay.

Redwire is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Redwire is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

All offers of employment at Redwire are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check and your ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the US. Note that some positions will also require US citizenship or ability to obtain a security clearance due to requirements of a classified program.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR Click Here

EXPORT CONTROL REQUIREMENTS:

This position may require access to information, materials, or technology subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and/or the Export Administration Regulations ("EAR"). To comply with these regulations, applicants may be asked to provide documentation to verify their status as a "U.S. person" as defined under the ITAR and EAR, or their eligibility to obtain any required U.S. Government export authorization. Redwire complies with all applicable anti‑discrimination laws, including the Immigration and Nationality Act, and does not discriminate on the basis of citizenship status or national origin except as required by law.

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