Chief Systems Engineer, Missile Defense

YOUR MISSION

The Chief Systems Engineer is responsible for the end-to-end technical integrity of the Space-Based Interceptor (SBI) system, owning the system architecture and serving as the final technical authority for system-level requirements interpretation, allocation, and traceability. This role ensures requirements are testable, verifiable, and aligned with mission objectives and customer intent. 

The Chief Systems Engineer leads technical integration across the booster, kill vehicle, ground systems, space and host-vehicle interfaces, resolving cross-element technical conflicts and ensuring subsystem designs collectively meet system performance, reliability, and safety objectives. 

The role owns the system-level verification and validation strategy, including ground, flight, and on-orbit test progression, and approves system-level test objectives, success criteria, and requirement creditability. The Chief Systems Engineer chairs system-level test readiness reviews, leads post-test technical assessments, and certifies technical readiness to proceed between major program phases. 

The Chief Systems Engineer identifies and manages system-level technical risks and provides authoritative system-level analysis during anomalies or mishaps in support of Mission Assurance–led investigations. The role certifies corrective actions and technical readiness for return-to-test or return-to-flight. 

The Chief Systems Engineer provides technical leadership to Chief Engineers and integrated product teams and serves as the primary system-level technical interface to Program Management, Mission Assurance, and customer technical authorities, maintaining independence of technical judgment while enabling informed programmatic decisions. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required Qualifications & Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related field (Master’s or PhD strongly preferred). 

• 15+ years of experience in complex aerospace or defense systems development. 

• Demonstrated experience as a lead or chief systems engineer on: 

• Missile defense systems 

• Space systems 

• Highly integrated flight-test–driven programs 

• Deep understanding of: 

• Systems engineering lifecycle 

• Verification and validation 

• Flight and ground test campaigns 

• Safety-critical system design 

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams under high consequence conditions. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Experience with missile defense, interceptor, or space weapon systems. 

• Direct involvement in ground test, flight test, or on-orbit demonstrations. 

• Experience interfacing with US Government customers (e.g., USSF, MDA, DoD). 

• Prior participation in anomaly resolution or mishap investigations. 

COMPENSATION  

• Base Salary: Denver- $190,000-$285,000, Long Beach- $200,000-$295,000

• 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 and experience. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work Location—Successful candidates will be located near Denver or Colorado Springs. While we observe a hybrid work environment, some work must be done on site.
• 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-Hybrid