Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer (III/IV)

Confirmed live in the last 24 hours

Terran Orbital

Compensation

$135,000 - $215,000/year

Irvine, CA

On-site

Posted March 13, 2026

Job Description

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Summary

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer (III/IV) to join our growing team. Reporting to the Systems Engineering Manager, the Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer (III/IV) will support the systems engineering team in the development, analysis, and definition of spacecraft designs. The Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer will use their technical expertise to define and manage subsystem specifications, interface control documents, the concept of operations, and system performance analyses for satellite space and ground systems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for technical ownership of the full product lifecycle from concept through design, manufacturing, test, and verification
Participate in the design and development of spacecraft systems, ensuring compliance with mission requirements and industry standards.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and integrate various subsystems, including propulsion, power, communication, and thermal control.
Conduct detailed technical analyses and simulations to validate system performance and identify potential issues.
Assist in the development and management of system requirements, ensuring traceability from high-level mission objectives down to component specifications.
Work with government and commercial customers to define system requirements and coordinate all technical aspects of the mission.
Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop optimal solutions to complex problems.
Develop system architectures that efficiently satisfy customer and internal requirements.
Perform system trade studies to balance risk, cost, and performance.
Document architecture diagrams, system interfaces, requirements, flow downs, allocations, and verification methodologies.
Prepare and lead system design reviews.
Develop and execute test plans and procedures for spacecraft systems and subsystems.
Identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues that arise during the design, development, and testing phases.
Perform requirements verification and validation activities to ensure compliance with mission goals.
Additional responsibilities as necessary, including support of other program or product teams when subject matter expertise, review, or input is required.

Requirements

BS or MS in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related discipline
5+ years of experience (Sr. Engineer - Level 3) in systems engineering or similar disciplines related to spacecraft
8+ years of experience (Staff Engineer - Level 4) in systems engineering or similar disciplines related to spacecraft
Familiarity with satellite systems and subsystems
Familiarity with requirements mapping and decomposition
Familiarity with MATLAB, SolidWorks, STK, and Linux
Familiarity with satellite system budgets including mass, power, and link budgets
Familiarity with satellite program lifecycles, development flows, test events, and verification and validation
U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Salary Ranges

Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer (Level III) - $135k to $175k

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