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Staff Spacecraft Systems Engineer – Electronics

CesiumAstro

Job Location:

Westminster, CA - USA

Yearly Salary: $ 158012 - 189969

Posted: 21 July 2026 (30+ days ago)

Application Deadline: 18 October 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

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.

AtCesiumAstro 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 Staff Spacecraft Systems Engineer Electronics provides technical leadership in the development integration verification and lifecycle management of complex aerospace systems. This role is responsible for translating customer requirements mission objectives and operational concepts into system architectures technical requirements and engineering solutions that enable successful mission execution.

Working with a high degree of independence the Staff Systems Engineer leads multidisciplinary engineering efforts across the system lifecycle from concept development through design integration verification production launch and operational support. This role collaborates closely with software electrical mechanical manufacturing integration and test mission operations and program management teams to ensure systems meet technical performance schedule and customer requirements while supporting sound engineering practices and technical decision-making.

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Systems Engineering & Architecture

Lead development analysis allocation and management of system and subsystem requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
Responsible for systems engineering of new electronics subsystems for CesiumAstro satellites
Collaborate with technical design leads to bring new spacecraft electronics products to life integrating requirements across multiple satellites and missions to drive design implementation
Communicate technical needs across the spacecraft team using data from flight operations to drive requirement evolution in future design cycles
Analyze customer mission and system-level requirements and decompose them into clear verifiable subsystem requirements.
Ensure subsystem requirements maintain end-to-end traceability to customer requirements system architecture and Concept of Operations (CONOPS).
Translate customer requirements and operational concepts into technical requirements system architectures and engineering solutions.
Lead system architecture development technical trade studies and engineering analyses to evaluate design alternatives and optimize system performance.
Collaborate with systems software hardware electrical mechanical manufacturing and integration teams to ensure requirements are complete feasible and technically sound.
Define and manage hardware software electrical mechanical thermal and data interfaces across system elements.
Support requirements management configuration management baseline control and engineering change activities throughout the development lifecycle.
Identify technical risks requirement gaps ambiguities and integration challenges early in the design process and develop effective mitigation strategies.

Systems Integration Verification & Validation

Develop system verification and validation strategies aligned with customer requirements system architecture and program objectives.
Define verification approaches including verification methods (test analysis demonstration and inspection) verification levels acceptance criteria and required evidence.
Identify verification configurations including hardware setups software loads firmware versions and test environments required to support verification activities.
Lead development and maintenance of verification documentation including verification cross-reference matrices (VCRM) requirements traceability matrices and compliance evidence packages.
Partner with Integration & Test teams to plan coordinate and execute system integration qualification environmental and functional verification activities.
Evaluate verification results support technical issue resolution and drive closure of verification gaps.
Support technical reviews design certification activities and program milestones.

Technical Leadership & Program Execution

Serve as the technical lead for assigned systems or major subsystems throughout the development lifecycle.
Lead systems engineering execution for assigned programs ensuring technical deliverables support program milestones and customer commitments.
Support engineering planning technical execution and program readiness activities.
Prioritize systems engineering activities to meet technical objectives schedule commitments and program requirements.
Lead multidisciplinary technical discussions and provide engineering guidance across cross-functional teams.
Participate in customer technical interchange meetings architecture reviews design reviews and program milestone reviews.
Provide technical mentorship to engineers on requirements development traceability verification planning and systems engineering practices.
Influence technical decisions through engineering analysis technical trade studies risk assessments and data-driven recommendations.
Drive continuous improvement of systems engineering processes documentation quality and technical rigor.
Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS AND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering Systems Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Computer Engineering Physics or a related technical discipline with typically 812 years of relevant experience. Masters degree in a related technical discipline with typically 68 years of relevant experience. PhD in a related technical discipline with typically 35 years of relevant experience.
Advanced knowledge of systems engineering principles lifecycle processes and aerospace development practices.
Experience developing allocating managing and verifying complex system and subsystem requirements.
Strong understanding of system architecture interface management integration configuration management and technical risk management.
Experience leading technical trade studies system analyses and design assessments.
Knowledge of verification validation qualification and compliance methodologies.
Ability to translate customer requirements mission objectives and CONOPS into technical 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 systems (Git GitLab Bitbucket or similar)
Issue tracking tools (Jira or similar)
Strong analytical problem-solving communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to provide technical leadership mentor engineers and influence cross-functional engineering decisions.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

Experience supporting complex aerospace defense or other highly regulated engineering programs.

$158012 - $189969 a year

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer including but not limited to the role and associated responsibilities a candidates 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 torace 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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process such as reviewing applications analyzing resumes or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us.

Required Experience:

Staff IC

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