Senior Systems Engineer

Job Description

Job DescriptionJob Title: Senior Space Systems EngineerJob Description

This full-time Senior Space Systems Engineer role is based in El Segundo, CA and focuses on advancing, integrating, and delivering system-of-systems space capabilities that support national security objectives. The position centers on space mission and systems engineering within the United States Space Force mission space, with responsibilities that include shaping enterprise requirements, performing mission engineering, and driving integration across multiple space mission portfolios. The role requires an active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility and involves approximately 10% travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and integration of cutting-edge space capabilities across current and future space systems, ensuring they align with enterprise and national security objectives.
• Perform mission engineering analyses and evaluate Design Reference Missions (DRMs) to identify risks, issues, and gap opportunities (RIGs/RIGOs) and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Conduct system-level capability reviews to assess performance, identify mission-critical gaps, and propose technical solutions to close those gaps.
• Support war room planning activities, including capability epoch development and kill chain assessments, to inform enterprise-level decision-making and operational planning.
• Develop enterprise requirements for high-priority space programs, ensuring consistency with mission needs, policy constraints, and technical feasibility.
• Assess policy and technical drivers that impact system design, integration, interoperability, and overall architecture for space systems and supporting infrastructure.
• Collaborate with organizations such as SWAC, S2, S4, S6, Space Command, CCIB, and PEO offices to deliver integrated solutions across SATCOM, Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT), Missile Warning, Tactical ISR (TacISR), Launch systems, and Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3).
• Support the development and integration of space architectures and space mission systems, including satellite systems and system-of-systems constructs.
• Prepare and present clear, concise briefings, white papers, and strategic roadmaps to Senior leadership and key stakeholders, translating complex technical topics into actionable insights.
• Coordinate and lead multidisciplinary teams composed of government, SETA, FFRDC, and contractor personnel to achieve mission and program objectives.
• Manage multiple priorities and tasks in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality engineering products and analyses.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM field such as Engineering, Physics, Earth Science, Mathematics, Operations Analysis, or a closely related discipline.
• 8+ years of experience in the design, development, and deployment of space systems within the United States Space Force or Department of Defense mission space.
• Strong foundation in systems engineering, including requirements development, system architecture, integration, and verification for space systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in mission analysis and mission engineering for space mission systems and system-of-systems architectures.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams that include government, SETA, FFRDC, and contractor personnel to deliver complex space capabilities.
• Experience with system-of-systems integration and space architecture development, including satellite systems and enterprise-level space mission systems.
• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite for documentation, analysis, and presentation activities.
• Familiarity with JIRA and Confluence for collaboration, task management, and documentation of engineering activities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to brief complex technical topics and mission-level analyses to Senior decision-makers and leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment while maintaining high quality and attention to detail.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 10% as required by program and mission needs.
• Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility.
• 10+ years of experience within the space systems industry or closely related defense mission areas.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master of Science degree in a STEM field such as Engineering, Physics, Earth Science, Mathematics, Operations Analysis, or a related discipline.
• Advanced proficiency with JIRA and Confluence for agile workflow management, requirements tracking, and technical collaboration.
• Experience with acquisition processes and practices related to space systems and system-of-systems capabilities.
• Hands-on experience with SATCOM systems and architectures supporting military and national security missions.
• Experience with Missile Warning systems and associated space-based sensor architectures.
• Background in Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems and their integration within broader space mission architectures.
• Experience with launch systems and their integration into end-to-end space mission planning and operations.
• Knowledge of Tactical ISR (TacISR) capabilities and their role in space-enabled operational support.
• Experience with Battle Management Command, Control and Communications (BMC3) systems and their integration with space capabilities.
• Deep understanding of space systems engineering, including end-to-end system engineering for space mission systems.
• Experience in developing and assessing space architectures that integrate multiple mission areas and platforms.

Work Environment

This role operates within a military-focused space systems environment located in El Segundo, CA, supporting mission-driven activities for space systems integration and operations. The work is performed primarily on-site in a secure facility with access-controlled areas appropriate for personnel holding a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. The environment emphasizes collaboration with government organizations, mission partners, and technical teams across multiple space mission portfolios. Work is conducted during standard full-time business hours, with occasional extended hours as mission needs dictate and approximately 10% travel to support meetings, reviews, and coordination activities. The setting is professional and structured, with adherence to security protocols, classified handling procedures, and established military and government standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of El Segundo, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $75.00 - $105.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in El Segundo,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 2026.

About Actalent

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San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

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