Be an Early Applicant
CesiumAstro creates out-of-the-box communication systems for space and airborne platforms.
The Role
Lead systems engineering for spacecraft optical communications: translate mission and customer requirements into system/subsystem requirements, manage interfaces, select vendors, define verification/validation strategies, support integration and test, mentor junior engineers, and drive technical program execution from concept through launch and operations.
Summary Generated by Built In
Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands-on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward-thinking individuals to join our team.
The Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer – Optical Comms is responsible for leading the systems engineering activities required to define, develop, integrate, verify, and support complex aerospace systems throughout the product lifecycle. This role translates mission objectives, customer requirements, and system architecture into technical solutions that enable successful system integration and mission execution.
Working within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, the Senior Systems Engineer collaborates with software, hardware, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, integration and test, mission operations, and program management teams to ensure systems meet technical, operational, cost, and schedule objectives. This role provides technical leadership from concept development through design, integration, verification, launch, and operational support while contributing to technical decision-making and risk management.ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Analyze customer, mission, and system-level requirements and decompose them into clear, verifiable system and subsystem requirements.
- Establish clear definitions for all hardware and software interfaces between optical communication payloads and the space vehicle
- Research commercially available optical communication payloads and conduct source selection
- Serve as primary technical contact with vendors through the full program lifecycleEnsure requirements maintain end-to-end traceability to customer requirements, system architecture, and Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
- Define and manage hardware, software, electrical, mechanical, and data interfaces between system elements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to refine requirements for completeness, feasibility, technical accuracy, and manufacturability.
- Support requirements management, configuration management, baseline control, and engineering change activities.
- Identify technical risks, requirement gaps, ambiguities, and design issues early in the development lifecycle.
- Support system architecture development, technical trade studies, and engineering analyses to evaluate design alternatives and optimize system performance.
- Develop system verification and validation strategies, including verification methods (test, analysis, demonstration, and inspection), acceptance criteria, and verification levels aligned with program requirements.
- Define verification configurations, including hardware, software, firmware, and test environments required to support verification activities.
- Develop and maintain verification documentation, verification cross-reference matrices (VCRM), requirements traceability matrices, and verification evidence packages.
- Partner with Integration & Test teams to plan, coordinate, and support system integration and verification activities.
- Evaluate test results, resolve technical discrepancies, and support corrective actions to ensure compliance with system requirements.
- Support technical planning, Program Increment (PI) planning, staffing assessments, and engineering execution activities.
- Prioritize systems engineering activities to meet technical, cost, schedule, and program milestones.
- Participate in technical reviews, design reviews, customer meetings, and engineering milestone activities.
- Mentor junior engineers on systems engineering best practices, requirements development, traceability, verification, and technical documentation.
- Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, systems engineering rigor, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to support successful program execution.
- Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Systems Engineering & Architecture
Verification, Validation & Integration
Technical Leadership & Program Execution
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with typically 5–8 years of relevant experience; Master’s degree in a related technical discipline with typically 3–6 years of relevant experience; or PhD in a related technical discipline with typically 0–3 years of relevant experience.
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles and the systems development lifecycle.
- Experience developing, managing, and verifying system and subsystem requirements.
- Knowledge of systems architecture, interface management, systems integration, and configuration management.
- Understanding verification, validation, and systems integration processes.
- Ability to interpret customer requirements, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and technical specifications to develop engineering solutions.
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)
- Requirements Management tools (Jama, IBM DOORS, or similar)
- Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools (CATIA Magic/Cameo, MagicDraw, or similar)
- Systems modeling and simulation tools
- Collaboration platforms (Confluence, SharePoint, or similar)
- Configuration management and version control tools (Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, or similar)
- Issue tracking tools (Jira or similar)
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Familiarity with spacecraft mission planning, launch support, and on-orbit operations.
- Experience supporting spacecraft system integration, mission readiness, and operational activities.
- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated engineering programs.
CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full-time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.
CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Please note: CesiumAstro does not accept unsolicited resumes from contract agencies or search firms. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to our website or to CesiumAstro team members will be considered property of CesiumAstro, and we will not be obligated to pay any referral fees.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Systems, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer Engineering, Physics, or related field (Masters/PhD acceptable) with applicable experience
- Strong knowledge of systems engineering principles and the systems development lifecycle
- Experience developing, managing, and verifying system and subsystem requirements
- Knowledge of systems architecture, interface management, systems integration, and configuration management
- Understanding of verification, validation, and systems integration processes
- Ability to interpret customer requirements, CONOPS, and technical specifications to develop engineering solutions
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio)
- Experience with requirements management tools (Jama, IBM DOORS, or similar)
- Experience with MBSE tools (CATIA Magic/Cameo, MagicDraw, or similar) and systems modeling/simulation tools
- Familiarity with collaboration platforms (Confluence, SharePoint) and issue tracking (Jira)
- Experience with configuration management and version control tools (Git, GitLab, Bitbucket, or similar)
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, organizational, and communication skills; ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams
- Familiarity with spacecraft mission planning, launch support, and on-orbit operations
- Experience supporting spacecraft system integration, mission readiness, and operational activities
- Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated engineering programs
CesiumAstro Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about CesiumAstro and has not been reviewed or approved by CesiumAstro.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, plus FSAs and mental health benefits. Feedback suggests the health package is comprehensive for a growth-stage aerospace firm.
-
Retirement Support — Offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and other retirement-plan elements. Feedback suggests core retirement mechanisms are in place alongside standard financial benefits.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO, paid holidays, paid sick days, and bereavement leave are included. Feedback suggests time-off options are broad on paper across multiple leave types.
CesiumAstro Insights
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
We build high-throughput, plug-and-play phased array communication payloads for space and airborne platforms. CesiumAstro’s full-stack, multi-mission hardware and software products enable a diverse range of commercial and defense objectives. Full-system engineering design is at the heart of every CesiumAstro product. We deliver high-performance solutions under rapid development timelines.
Why Work With Us
At CesiumAstro, we’re a team. We’re passionate, respectful, and determined colleagues ready to help at a moment’s notice. We’re mentors excited to enable our peers with the knowledge they need to succeed. Together, we’re visionaries committing to building memories that will last a lifetime.
Gallery
.png){kind=logo}
