Project Engineer III (Clearance Required)

• Design and maintain ground system architectures including mission operations centers, ground data systems, ground communication networks, and interfaces with launch site infrastructure and tracking stations 

• Develop ground software and tools for vehicle monitoring, telemetry processing, command & control, and support pre-launch checkout, mission simulations, and ground rehearsals 

• Coordinate ground segment integration with flight systems and ensure end-to-end operational readiness 

• Varying scope by level: 

  • SE II focuses on subsystem-level tasks and test support; 

  • SE III owns segment integration and anomaly resolution; 

  • Sr SE defines architecture and leads cross-functional ground system initiatives 

Requirements & Verifications: 

• Derive, decompose, and manage technical requirements from stakeholder needs through system, subsystem, and component levels; manage requirements baseline changes and impact assessments across the product lifecycle 

• Develop verification and validation strategies including analysis, inspection, demonstration, and test methods; author verification procedures, test plans, and acceptance criteria aligned to requirements traceability 

• Lead requirements reviews, trade studies, and technical audits to ensure completeness, consistency, and compliance 

• Varying scope by level: 

  • SE II executes verification activities and documents results; 

  • SE III leads V&V planning and closure; 

  • Sr SE owns requirements architecture and approval authority for complex changes 

Space Vehicle Integration: 

• Plan and execute hardware and software integration activities for spacecraft buses, payloads, and subsystems; coordinate interface control documents (ICDs) and manage technical interfaces across vehicle elements 

• Support integration and test campaigns including functional checkout, environmental testing, and system-level qualification; resolve integration anomalies and troubleshooting across mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software domains 

• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and mission assurance teams to ensure flight readiness 

• Varying scope by level: 

  • SE II supports hands-on integration tasks and test readiness; 

  • SE III leads integration planning and anomaly resolution; 

  • Sr SE defines integration strategy and owns vehicle-level technical risk 

• Requires Bachelor's degree in a related field (or equivalent work experience in lieu of degree or Masters +3 yrs experience).

• Typically 5+ years of related experience (or Masters + 3 years of experience).

• Emerging expertise in Systems Engineering principles and practices, including a thorough understanding of the systems development lifecycle.

• Knowledge of requirements management, functional requirements parsing, derivation, and allocation.

• Knowledge of systems architecture, systems integration, and Verification and Validation (V&V) principles.

• Emerging ability to work and communicate with technical and specialty subject matter expert engineers to drive systems engineering products.

• An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance is required 

This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance.  The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.