Chief Systems Engineer

E-Space

$190K — $225K *
Aerospace & Defense
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in systems engineering within the space industry, with at least one flight project from SRR to on-orbit operations.
  • Direct experience managing constellation program spacecraft-level architecture and interface management.
  • Leadership in ICD and design review processes, ensuring requirements traceability and verification closure.
  • Background in digital communications, including RF link design and phased array systems.
  • Hands-on systems engineering experience in payload, bus, or ground subsystems prior to current role.
  • Proven team leadership skills, including the ability to recruit and develop systems engineering talent.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage spacecraft system architecture, including requirements allocation and trade space analysis.
  • Create and track verification & validation plans, including environmental testing procedures.
  • Oversee spacecraft electrical systems design compliance and own the electrical ICD framework.
  • Plan and execute integration & test campaigns, including anomaly investigation and resolution.
  • Administer configuration management processes across engineering and production phases.
  • Implement digital thread initiatives connecting requirements, design, and verification evidence.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
  • Flexible work schedule promoting work-life balance.
  • Professional development and training opportunities.
  • Access to cutting-edge technology and tools in aerospace.
Full Job Description
The CSE holds the highest technical authority in the Space Systems Organization below the CTO. This is the single point of accountability for spacecraft system architecture, all Interface Control Documents, the Verification & Validation Plan, Requirements Compliance closure, and the system-level AI&T campaign.

With Space Systems Electrical Engineering (SSEE) as an organic fifth function, the CSE also holds sole authority over the spacecraft-level electrical architecture and the electrical ICD framework to which every hardware VP and Semiconductor Development designs. The scope extends beyond the spacecraft - the CSE owns the program digital thread connecting requirements through design, verification, as-built records, and on-orbit telemetry.

What you'll be doing:

  • System architecture - requirements decomposition, allocation to subsystem budgets, ICD development and baseline control, and trade space management across mass, power, pointing, and cost.


  • Verification & Validation - V&V plan development, TPM definition and tracking, requirements compliance matrix management, environmental test planning (TVAC, vibration/acoustic, EMI/EMC), and test data disposition.


  • Electrical systems - spacecraft-level power distribution, grounding and shielding, EMI/EMC (MIL-STD-461 or equivalent), signal integrity, and connector/harness standards; sufficient depth to own the electrical ICD framework and evaluate design compliance across all subsystems.


  • Integration & Test - AI&T campaign planning and execution, FlatSat and HIL facility operations, environmental test readiness review process, and anomaly investigation and disposition.


  • Configuration management - configuration baseline control, CCB process administration, and engineering change order management across both engineering and production phases.


  • Digital thread / MBSE - connecting requirements, design artifacts, verification evidence, and as-built records in a traceable data architecture; working familiarity with MBSE tools (DOORS NG, Cameo, SysML) and digital thread architectures.


What you bring to this role:

  • 15+ years progressive systems engineering experience in the space industry, with at least one flight project carried from SRR through on-orbit operations.


  • Constellation program experience - direct accountability for spacecraft-level architecture, cross-vehicle interface management, or system-level verification across a multi-satellite fleet. This is a required differentiator, not a preference.


  • ICD and design review leadership - direct responsibility for requirements traceability and verification closure; presented and defended technical baselines at formal design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, QR) before a standing review board.


  • Digital communications background - demonstrated background in RF link design, phased array systems, modem/waveform, or OSI Layer 1-2 protocol architecture.


  • Prior subsystem depth - hands-on subsystem leadership (payload, bus, or ground) before transitioning to systems engineering. This prior depth is the foundation for the technical credibility required to arbitrate disputes across RF, power, structures, software, and semiconductors.


  • Team leadership - demonstrated record of building and developing multi-discipline systems engineering teams, including recruiting and retaining Principal Engineers.


Candidates must demonstrate the ability to make and defend binding technical decisions under uncertainty - including accepting residual risk with documented rationale - and to hold a technical position under schedule or cost pressure. Experience presenting to and defending technical baselines before external review boards is require

This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office. The target base pay for this position is $190,000- $225,000annually. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.

This role requires access to controlled technical data. Under U.S. law (ITAR/EAR), we can only consider U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status).

E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.

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