Principal Systems Engineer at SET Development

Job description

Position Overview SET Development is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support a high-impact satellite program with a leading aerospace client. This role focuses on end-to-end spacecraft systems engineering , with emphasis on avionics integration and full lifecycle development . You will operate as a senior technical contributor with ownership across requirements, system design, verification, and integration , supporting complex satellite platforms and mission architectures. Key Responsibilities Systems Engineering (Primary Focus – ~75%) • Lead requirements development, decomposition, and flowdown • Perform system architecture design and trade studies • Develop and execute verification & validation strategies • Conduct systems analysis (FMEA, reliability, technical budgets, critical items) • Drive cross-functional integration across subsystems: • Avionics / flight software • Power systems • Communications • GNC / navigation • Support full lifecycle execution (concept → design → integration → test → operations) • Contribute to spacecraft, payload, or mission-level engineering activities Roadmap & Product Development (~15%) • Support spacecraft product roadmap planning • Contribute to platform reuse strategies and cost optimization • Assist in customization strategies for mission-specific configurations Additional Contributions (~10%) • Mentor junior engineers and support engineering best practices • Contribute to process improvement and engineering standardization • Support long-term program scalability and delivery execution Required Qualifications Education • Bachelor’s degree in STEM required • Master’s degree preferred Experience • 15+ years (BS) or 12+ years (MS) in aerospace systems engineering • Proven experience across full spacecraft lifecycle development Technical Capabilities • Strong experience in: • Requirements engineering & verification (RTMs, V&V) • System architecture and trade studies • Spacecraft subsystems (avionics, power, comms, GNC, C&DH) • Familiarity with: • DOORS (or equivalent requirements tools) • MBSE / SysML • Mission architecture (launch, CONOPS, operations) • Experience with: • Reliability, safety, maintainability, and system-level analysis • Ability to operate autonomously in complex, cross-functional environments Additional Requirements • U.S. Citizenship required • Ability to obtain (or hold) DoD Secret clearance or higher • Willingness to travel up to ~20% (including occasional international)

Requirements

Must-haves

Position Overview
You will operate as a senior technical contributor with ownership across requirements, system design, verification, and integration , supporting complex satellite platforms and mission architectures.
Systems Engineering (Primary Focus – ~75%)
Lead requirements development, decomposition, and flowdown
Perform system architecture design and trade studies
Develop and execute verification & validation strategies
Conduct systems analysis (FMEA, reliability, technical budgets, critical items)
Drive cross-functional integration across subsystems: • Avionics / flight software
Power systems
Communications
GNC / navigation
Support full lifecycle execution (concept → design → integration → test → operations)
Contribute to spacecraft, payload, or mission-level engineering activities
Roadmap & Product Development (~15%)
Support spacecraft product roadmap planning
Contribute to platform reuse strategies and cost optimization
Assist in customization strategies for mission-specific configurations
Additional Contributions (~10%)
Mentor junior engineers and support engineering best practices
Contribute to process improvement and engineering standardization
Support long-term program scalability and delivery execution
Bachelor’s degree in STEM required
15+ years (BS) or 12+ years (MS) in aerospace systems engineering

Nice-to-haves

Master’s degree preferred

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: jazzhr
Effort: medium