GPS 3F – Space Vehicle Systems Engineer

Overview

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place To Work," delivers engineering solutions across commercial space and national security missions - from innovative new entrants to established space systems organizations.

We bring talented, energetic, and immediately productive professionals to meet critical customer needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management, and strategic planning - helping teams deliver resilient capability to the mission with speed, quality, and focus.

Stellar Solutions is seeking a Space Vehicle Systems Engineer to support the U.S. Space Force's GPS III Follow-On (GPS IIIF) program. GPS IIIF represents the next generation of the Global Positioning System, introducing advanced satellite capabilities designed to strengthen positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services for military and civilian users worldwide. With enhanced protection against signal interference, improved precision, and new capabilities supporting search and rescue, GPS IIIF is a critical investment in the resilience of one of America's most important space-based infrastructures. This position offers the opportunity to contribute directly to the engineering, integration, testing, and successful delivery of spacecraft that will support national defense and global navigation for decades to come.

Role/Responsibilities/Qualifications

The Space Vehicle Systems Engineer will support the Government team in overseeing the technical development, integration, verification, and testing of GPS IIIF spacecraft and associated subsystems. Working closely with Government stakeholders and contractor engineering teams, this individual will assess system performance, evaluate technical progress, identify integration risks, and support key acquisition and engineering milestones. The role requires a strong understanding of spacecraft engineering disciplines, sound technical judgment, and the ability to translate complex engineering information into actionable insights that support program execution and mission readiness.

Key responsibilities include:

• Support systems engineering activities across the spacecraft development, integration, verification, and test lifecycle.

• Evaluate the design, development, and integration of spacecraft subsystems, including structures, mechanisms, electrical power, attitude control, thermal, propulsion, communications, and command systems.

• Assess spacecraft technical performance, subsystem interfaces, and system-level integration to identify potential risks, issues, and impacts to program objectives.

• Support major space system and DoD program reviews, including SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, FCA, and PCA, as applicable.

• Review engineering documentation, technical analyses, and contractor-provided data to support informed Government decisions.

• Evaluate spacecraft integration and test planning, including system performance testing, thermal vacuum (TVAC), acoustic, and electromagnetic interference and compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing.

• Analyze subsystem and program-level integrated master schedules (IMS) and earned value management (EVM) data to assess technical progress, schedule performance, and emerging program risks.

• Support requirements analysis, verification activities, and the assessment of system compliance with technical and mission objectives.

• Collaborate with Government customers, contractor engineering teams, and multidisciplinary stakeholders to resolve technical issues and maintain alignment across engineering activities.

• Use collaboration and program management tools, including Confluence and Jira, to support technical coordination, issue tracking, and program execution.

• Develop and communicate engineering assessments, technical findings, and recommendations that help the Government maintain confidence in spacecraft development and mission readiness.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.

• 4+ years of experience in satellite systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing.

• Experience supporting the development, integration, and testing of multiple spacecraft subsystems and components, including structures, mechanisms, electrical power, attitude control, thermal, propulsion, communications, or command systems.

• Experience with space system and DoD program reviews, including SRR, SDR, SFR, PDR, CDR, MRR, TRR, FCA, or PCA.

• Experience using collaboration tools such as Confluence or Jira.

• Experience analyzing subsystem and program-level integrated master schedules (IMS) and contractor earned value management (EVM) data.

• Experience with spacecraft-level testing, including system performance testing, TVAC, acoustic, or EMI/EMC testing.

• Ability to communicate complex technical information effectively and establish collaborative working relationships with Government customers and contractor teammates.

• Highly motivated, with a strong work ethic and commitment to supporting the DoD mission.

Desired Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in space vehicle systems engineering, planning, integration, and testing.

• Experience performing multiple systems engineering and program management functions across the spacecraft development lifecycle.

• Experience conducting or supporting requirements verification activities.

• Knowledge of the DoD acquisition lifecycle, major acquisition milestones, and applicable systems engineering, testing, and production policies, standards, and practices.

• Knowledge of GPS space, ground, or user segments and their roles within the broader GPS enterprise.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary technical and program organizations.

• Master's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or Computer Science.

• Project Management Professional (PMP), Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP), Certified Systems Engineering Professional (CSEP), or Object Management Group Certified Systems Modeling Professional (OCSMP) certification.

Security Clearance & Other Requirements: 

• Active Secret security clearance required.

• Top Secret security clearance desired.

Location:

This position is located in El Segundo, CA and Hybrid / Remote Work Style can be considered

Compensation:

The typical annual salary range for this position is approximately, USD $115,000 - $145,000. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. 

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for a comprehensive total rewards package that includes an annual performance bonus, an employer-funded Profit-Sharing Plan (PSP) contribution based on base compensation, and comprehensive employer-paid medical benefits, PTO pay-out options, along with additional company-sponsored benefits. All of these benefits represent an additional 30-40% to your base compensation for a total compensation package.

Deliverable(s)

The successful candidate will help the Government assess the technical integrity, integration readiness, and performance of GPS IIIF spacecraft as they progress toward delivery and operational capability. Through disciplined engineering assessments, testing oversight, risk identification, and collaboration across program stakeholders, this individual will contribute to the successful fielding of a more resilient and capable GPS constellation - strengthening assured positioning, navigation, and timing for U.S. and allied forces while supporting the global infrastructure that depends on GPS every day.

Supporting deliverables may include engineering assessments, technical reports, test evaluations, program reviews, risk analyses, briefings, and other Government-directed products developed using approved systems, processes, and applicable program guidance.