Senior Systems Engineer

About the role

You will architect and own the end-to-end systems architecture that transforms raw satellite radar echoes into globally accessible, secure, and actionable intelligence. You will define the bridge between space-borne sensors and terrestrial infrastructure, owning critical trade studies that balance orbit dynamics, payload capabilities, and ground processing. You will lead the design of scalable data pipelines that ingest, process, and distribute persistent, all-weather, day-night sensing data across the globe. You will collaborate closely with RF, DSP, and hardware teams to ensure that waveform designs and on-board processing algorithms are implemented efficiently in flight software. You will drive the integration and test strategy for complex space systems, translating high-level requirements into verifiable hardware and software components. You will own the fault-protection and operational procedures that keep the constellation performing reliably in the harsh environment of low Earth orbit. You will act as the primary technical liaison for cross-functional partners, ensuring that systems engineering decisions align with product goals and launch schedules. You will mentor engineers by providing clear technical direction and fostering a culture of rigorous analysis and continuous improvement in space-based communications.

Key facts

What you'll do

Architect the systems engineering processes and workflows that govern the full lifecycle of LEO satellite radar missions from concept to operations.

Define the requirements baseline and system architecture that connect space-based radar sensors with secure, hyper-scale ground data processing and IoT service delivery.

Lead cross-functional trade studies evaluating orbit selection, sensor capabilities, data latency, and ground infrastructure costs to optimize mission performance.

Develop and maintain complex models simulating end-to-end radar data flows, from echo capture through on-board processing, classification, and delivery to enterprise customers.

Collaborate with RF and hardware engineers to translate phased array and waveform requirements into precise systems interfaces and performance specifications.

Design and validate fault-protection, monitoring, and recovery strategies that ensure mission continuity and data integrity across globally distributed ground stations.

Partner with data science and software teams to embed advanced signal processing and classification algorithms directly into the satellite payload and ground software stacks.

Own the creation of systems engineering documentation, including interface control documents, failure modes analyses, and verification test plans.

Coordinate with manufacturing, integration, and test teams to ensure that flight hardware and software meet stringent quality, reliability, and schedule targets.

Champion the adoption of model-based systems engineering methods to predict system behavior, reduce risk, and accelerate delivery of actionable intelligence.

Define operational concepts that enable persistent, all-weather, day-night sensing services to scale efficiently as the constellation grows.

Establish verification and validation procedures that align hardware-in-the-loop tests with real-world mission scenarios and customer use cases.

Serve as a technical leader who translates complex space systems into clear strategies for internal stakeholders and external partners.

Drive continuous improvement by analyzing mission data and operational feedback to refine architectures and processes for future satellite generations.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field, with a Master's degree strongly preferred.

You must have 8+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering for space, defense, or large-scale distributed systems.

You must demonstrate deep expertise in RF systems, signal processing, and electromagnetics as they apply to radar and communications payloads.

You must have hands-on experience with phased array technologies, waveform design, and on-board digital processing techniques.

You must be proficient in modeling and simulating end-to-end communication systems, including link budgets, orbit dynamics, and ground segment integration.

You must have a strong background in requirements engineering, using tools such as DOORS or Jama to manage complex system specifications.

You must have experience with model-based systems engineering methods and tools such as SysML, Capella, or similar frameworks.

You must have proven experience working in fast-paced, mission-critical environments where schedule, reliability, and security are non-negotiable.

Nice to have

Experience with LEO satellite constellations, space-based radar, or IoT service platforms is highly valued.

Knowledge of global IoT connectivity patterns, security best practices, and regulatory frameworks for spectrum usage is preferred.

Familiarity with cloud-native data pipelines, secure data ingestion frameworks, and real-time analytics platforms is a significant advantage.

Practical notes

This role is full-time and based in our Saratoga, California office.

Limited travel may be required for integration, test, and launch activities.

Employment eligibility to work in the United States is required, and sponsorship is not available for this position.

Candidates must be able to start within 30 days of offer acceptance.