SET Development

Principal Systems Engineer

Remote - Contracted

Position Overview

SET Development is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to support a high-impact satellite program with a leading aerospace client. This role focuses on end-to-end spacecraft systems engineering, with emphasis on avionics integration and full lifecycle development.

You will operate as a senior technical contributor with ownership across requirements, system design, verification, and integration, supporting complex satellite platforms and mission architectures.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Engineering (Primary Focus – ~75%)

  • Lead requirements development, decomposition, and flowdown
  • Perform system architecture design and trade studies
  • Develop and execute verification & validation strategies
  • Conduct systems analysis (FMEA, reliability, technical budgets, critical items)
  • Drive cross-functional integration across subsystems:
    • Avionics / flight software
    • Power systems
    • Communications
    • GNC / navigation
  • Support full lifecycle execution (concept → design → integration → test → operations)
  • Contribute to spacecraft, payload, or mission-level engineering activities

Roadmap & Product Development (~15%)

  • Support spacecraft product roadmap planning
  • Contribute to platform reuse strategies and cost optimization
  • Assist in customization strategies for mission-specific configurations

Additional Contributions (~10%)

  • Mentor junior engineers and support engineering best practices
  • Contribute to process improvement and engineering standardization
  • Support long-term program scalability and delivery execution

Required Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM required
  • Master’s degree preferred

Experience

  • 15+ years (BS) or 12+ years (MS) in aerospace systems engineering
  • Proven experience across full spacecraft lifecycle development

Technical Capabilities

  • Strong experience in:
    • Requirements engineering & verification (RTMs, V&V)
    • System architecture and trade studies
    • Spacecraft subsystems (avionics, power, comms, GNC, C&DH)
  • Familiarity with:
    • DOORS (or equivalent requirements tools)
    • MBSE / SysML
    • Mission architecture (launch, CONOPS, operations)
  • Experience with:
    • Reliability, safety, maintainability, and system-level analysis
  • Ability to operate autonomously in complex, cross-functional environments

Additional Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship required
  • Ability to obtain (or hold) DoD Secret clearance or higher
  • Willingness to travel up to ~20% (including occasional international)
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