Principal Systems Engineer

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)