Instrument Systems Engineer , Space Sciences Laboratory

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The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space‑related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

This position requires an instrument systems engineer to lead the development of spaceflight remote sensing instrumentation within UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL). The position involves providing systems engineering support in the design, assembly, and test of scientific instruments and payload systems (primarily spaceborne cameras, spectrographs, telescopes, and detector systems). Collaborative activities include frequent interaction with SSL’s remote sensing engineering staff and project management to meet science requirements while maintaining engineering integrity throughout the project’s lifecycle.

The First Review Date for this job is:
May 20, 2026

Instrument Development and Systems Engineering (30%)

• Leads the development effort for instrument design, supporting analyses, construction planning, assembly, and testing.
• Collaborates with technical management and science leadership to develop a comprehensive set of instrument performance requirements and executes verification activities (e.g., environmental testing).

Technical Leadership and Team Supervision (15%)

• Plans, organizes and supervises lower‑level engineers and technical staff engaged in design, construction and testing of space flight instruments.
• Responsible for developing plans and procedures required to assemble, test, and calibrate remote sensing instrumentation.

Design Integration and Performance Assurance (10%)

• Systems engineering responsibility to ensure effective design and integration of all components and engineering fields such as mechanical.
• Ensure that the instrument design meets critical requirements and can achieve desired performance specifications.

External Collaboration (15%)

• Works with other research organizations in the development of components for remote sensing instrumentation.

Instrument Integration and Engineering Coordination (10%)

• Integrates the activities of multiple sub‑specialties of one of the Aerospace Engineering disciplines or covering several engineering specialties.
• Leads the assembly and integration of a spaceflight instrument or large ground‑based instrument (>$20M).

Research and Stakeholder Coordination (5%)

• Carries major responsibility for accomplishment of research objectives in relationships with investigators, contractors, and Campus staff.

Project…