Principal Systems Engineer – Velocity Satellite Integration, Clearance Required

Sierra Space

. Serve as a key technical leader on the Integration & Test team across the flat sat engineering test-bed and flight space vehicle .

Posted 10/26/2026full-timeLouisville • Colorado • United StatesLead💰 $173,748 - $238,904 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles, including requirements management, systems integration, and verification and validation processes. Capable of leading multidisciplinary system development initiatives and mentoring engineering talent while ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Systems Engineering PrinciplesRequirements ManagementSystems IntegrationVerification And Validation (V&V)Top Secret Security Clearance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Requirements DerivationSystems ArchitectureRisk ManagementTechnical Performance TrackingConfiguration Management

Soft Skills

Problem-SolvingAttention To DetailCommunicationMentoring

Tools & Technologies

DOORSCAMEO EARhapsodyMatlabSysML

Certifications & Qualifications

INCOSE Standards Certification

Industry Keywords

Flat-Sat EngineeringFlight Space VehicleRendezvous And Proximity Operations (RPO)Multidisciplinary System DevelopmentStakeholder Alignment

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a key technical leader on the Integration & Test team across the flat sat engineering test-bed and flight space vehicle
Drive system-level integration and verification activities on the flat sat and transfer lessons learned and verified procedures to the space vehicle
Perform risk-reduction testing on the flat sat to identify and resolve issues before they reach the flight vehicle
Lead systems and hardware problem investigations and risk-reduction planning across test-bed and flight configurations
Own requirements derivation, decomposition, allocation, and traceability
Ensure verification evidence from the flat sat and space vehicle ties back to stakeholder needs
Lead development milestone reviews and represent the technical baseline in customer touchpoints and stakeholder alignments
Identify and manage technical risks and drive mitigation strategies with the execution team
Mentor and develop systems engineering talent
Contribute to broader Systems Engineering process and policy improvements

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree, or Master's degree plus 13 years of experience
Typically 15+ years of related experience, or Master's degree plus 13 years of experience
Ability to drive multidisciplinary system development initiatives and architect comprehensive systems integrating multiple subsystems
Advanced expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including the systems development lifecycle
Experience with requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation
Expertise in systems architecture and systems integration, verification, and validation (V&V)
Ability to contribute to corporate Systems Engineering policy and process definition and implementation
Ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers
Active Top Secret with SCI eligibility U.S. Security Clearance required
U.S. Citizenship required
Preferred: Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field
Preferred: Experience with Requirements Management and Model Based Systems Engineering tools and frameworks, including DOORS, CAMEO EA, Rhapsody, Matlab, and SysML
Preferred: Understanding of spacecraft systems, hardware and software subsystems and components
Preferred: Experience with flat-sat/engineering test-bed environments and flight space vehicle integration and checkout
Preferred: Experience supporting or interfacing with government/mission customers in a close IPT setting
Preferred: Experience with Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) missions
Preferred: Understanding of project management methodologies, risk management, technical performance tracking, technical baseline, and configuration management
Preferred: Experience leading major projects and mentoring junior and mid-level engineers
Preferred: Experience or certification in INCOSE standards
Preferred: Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Preferred: Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental, and vision plans
401(k) with 150% match up to 6%
Life insurance
3 weeks paid time off
Personal and professional development
Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities