Lead Systems Engineer - Ground Systems

YOUR MISSION

RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking a Lead Ground Systems Engineer to own the systems engineering execution of a satellite command and control ground system program as part of the Mosaic portfolio. In this role you will play a critical role in defining, analyzing, and ensuring the successful implementation of mission requirements across command and control infrastructure, telemetry and tracking systems, and ground station networks, supporting critical space operations for national defense initiatives. As the technical lead for the program, you have ownership and responsibility over the requirements, verification, and validation (RV&V) efforts for the ground system, from concept through deployment, operations, and sustainment.

The Lead Ground Systems Engineer is responsible for execution of the day-to-day systems engineering process, integration of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and requirements management tools, and leads gate review execution activities across the ground system program. You oversee the daily activities, tasking, and prioritization of the program's systems engineering work, and are responsible for leading RV&V efforts—including requirements definition, decomposition, verification, and validation products such as Test Plans and verification procedures not allocated to other teams. You guide interface definition across space-to-ground and ground segment boundaries, lead mission and system-level gating reviews, and share approving authority with the Chief Engineer for accepting ground system elements into integration and operational service. You lead, or delegate authority for, Engineering Review Boards (ERBs) and Failure Review Boards (FRBs) for the ground system.

As a Lead Systems Engineer, you will:

• Serve as the primary systems engineering point of contact for the ground system program, collaborating with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
• Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions across the ground segment, ensuring alignment with technical, programmatic, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Have ownership over development and implementation of space-to-ground ICDs.
• Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure optimal ground system architecture design in conjunction with the Ground System Architect and Chief Engineer.
• Enforce systems engineering standards, processes, and requirements traceability across the program, mentoring and directing junior and senior systems engineers.
• Prepare and present detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
• Develop and own system-level integration and verification plans, directing end-to-end testing to validate mission requirements across command and control, telemetry, and ground station networks.
• Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness and operational availability.
• Lead and support mission operations teams during testing, deployment, and real-time mission execution.
• Conduct and oversee system performance analysis, including reliability, availability, safety, and mission effectiveness, under various operational and environmental conditions.
• Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and drive mitigation strategies to closure.
• Identify and analyze mission risks related to satellite command and control operations, including system latency, data integrity, and operational uncertainties.
• Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans for safe and reliable mission execution across the ground system.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Staff level: 12+ years full lifecycle experience leading ground control systems through design, test, verification, and operations
• Principal level: 15+ years full lifecycle experience leading ground control systems through design, test, verification, and operations
• Demonstrated experience leading or serving as the lead systems engineer for a ground system program
• Familiarity with integrating space-to-ground systems requiring Type 1 encryption
• Experience with commercial and government-provided Antenna-as-a-Service (AaaS) solutions
• Understanding of the Tasking, Collection, Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (TCPED) lifecycle as applied to ground control systems
• Understanding of modulation, demodulation, encoding, and decoding as part of the command and control (C2) signal chain
• Experience with system deployment, integration, and ATO support in accordance with the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800-53 security controls
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience
• Proven leadership in design, analysis, and verification on a major aerospace program
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical rigor with schedule and program realities
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with ability to lead technical trades
• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams and coordinate across hardware and software boundaries
• Bachelors Degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering or related field
• S. Citizen and eligible for DoD TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering
• Strong track record leading cross-functional engineering teams and managing design-to-delivery cycles
• Demonstrated expertise with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
• Background in range certification, test readiness reviews, and safety boards
• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Experience in defense or classified satellite ground systems programs.
• Familiarity with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and NASA mission standards and processes
• Experience working with government agencies, primes, or subcontractors on satellite command and control systems.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary Staff :$160,000-$235,000
• Base Salary Principal: $195,000- $285,000

• Equity + Benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, HRA/HSA options, PTO and paid holidays, 401K, Parental Leave

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, location, and experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Long Beach. 
• Work environment—the work environment; temperature, noise level, inside or outside, or other factors that will affect the person's working conditions while performing the job.
• Physical demands—the physical demands of the job, including bending, sitting, lifting and driving.

This position will be open until it is successfully filled. To submit your application, please follow the directions below. [#LI-Onsite #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid] must select have one of these hashtags on the JD and change font color to BLACK in greenhouse.