Spacecraft Systems Engineer, CD&H

At Turion Space, we’re building spacecraft to secure Earth and expand humanity’s reach beyond it. As a Spacecraft Systems Engineer for Command and Data Handling (CD&H) you will be responsible for designing, developing, and testing of the whole spacecraft systems and subsystems.

This role involves working on all phases of a satellite’s product lifecycle, from proposal and concept through initial and final design to testing and final operations. This Spacecraft Systems Engineer will work to ensure that all the CD&H subsystems meet the desired function, performance, and reliability of the mission at hand.

This is a full-time, exempt position based on-site at our Irvine, California headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

• Gather, analyze, and refine requirements across the spacecraft, including interfaces to the ground.

• Develop and maintain system-level design budgets (e.g., power, pointing, mass, data) and maintain a clear, traceable link between requirements, verification artifacts, and mission objectives.

• Collaborate with the ground software and the mission operations team to collect feedback and lessons learned from existing missions.

• Evaluate and track risks, including fault trees, failure modes, and potential mitigation.

• Lead the software Integrated Product Team (IPTs).

• Organize and execute technical milestone reviews, including Mission Critical (MCR), System Requirements (SRR), Preliminary Design (PDR), Critical Design (CDR), Test Readiness (TRR), Program Support (PSR), and System Architecture Reviews (SAR).

• Identify and document internal and external dependencies, such as vendor-provided systems or internal blockers from other teams across the program.

• Develop Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) strategies for the flight and ground segment.

• Lead the effort to validate all vehicle requirements are met by the spacecraft.

• Working with internal and external stakeholders to define mission ConOps

• Directly engage with subcontractors on deliverables.

• Assist in developing road maps and development plans for the flight systems department.

• Serve as the key contributor behind flight systems engineering at Turion and contribute to the evolution of systems engineering standards.

Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field

• 3+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering, Spacecraft design, or a related field, with hands-on experience in satellite design and integration.

• Previous experience with the derivation and maintenance of requirements from a system level down to a lower level

• Ability to create system level budgets (mass, power, dV, pointing, link, etc.) and track the budget throughout the project lifecycle

• Hands-on experience with spacecraft integration, flatsat testing, or mission operations.

• Must be able to obtain a Secret and/or a TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with satellite analysis tools such as Python, MATLAB, STK, GMAT, or FreeFlyer

• Experience with requirement management tools such as Jama, Doors, Flow, or others

• Prior work in a startup environment

• Experience with the full product life cycle for a space mission from concept through live operations.

• Experience engaging directly with subcontractors on deliverables

• Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering and applicable software such as Cameo, Capella, Innoslate, or others

Spacecraft Systems Engineer Salary: $140,000 - $190,000 USD

ITAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or software source code that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Benefits:
We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package designed to support the well-being and professional growth of our employees. In addition to a competitive base salary and company stock, determined by factors such as job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, and market demand, full-time employees are eligible for:​

• Equity: Receive equity in Turion Space, letting you benefit from the company's success

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. ​

• Retirement Plans: Access to a 401(k) plan to help you plan for your future. ​

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays to ensure you have time to recharge. ​

• Professional Development: Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses to advance your skills and career growth.

• Team Building Activities: Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities to foster a positive work environment. ​

We are dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching environment for our team members, recognizing that our collective success is built upon the well-being and satisfaction of each individual.

Turion Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Turion Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.