Senior System Engineer

What You’ll Do System Architecture And Design

• Define, develop, and document overall system architecture.
• Create and maintain Observatory Architecture and Configuration Documents.
• Serve as Lead Engineer and technical authority for the ngGONG design project.
• Define and manage system and subsystem interfaces.
• Ensure all designs comply with NSF and federal requirements (e.g., Research Infrastructure Guide, , Build America / Buy America Act).

• Translate high-level science requirements into traceable systems-level and subsystem-level technical requirements.
• Review and approve subsystem DRDs for completeness, traceability, and alignment with systems architecture.
• Apply appropriate international engineering standards (ISO, ASTM, ANSI, IEEE, IEC) to system-level specifications.

• Conduct system-level analyses, trade studies, and performance modeling to inform design decisions.
• Lead feasibility analyses and alternative design evaluations for system-level decisions.
• Develop and maintain system-level error budgets for optical, thermal, and mechanical performance.

• Define and document comprehensive verification and validation strategies and plans for all systems and subsystems.
• Create and manage compliance matrices for verification and validation.
• Develop plans for subsystem integration activities and system-level integration sequences.

• Develop and implement the Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP).
• Serve as Control Account Manager for Systems Engineering, including ownership of the Systems group budgets, schedules, and risks.
• Support project design reviews including Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) and Preliminary Design Review (PDR).
• Contribute to Design Completion and Construction Proposal documentation.
• Support project risk management and oversee change management processes.
• Maintain technical documentation repositories and ensure version and configuration control.

• Systems engineering and complex system design
• Requirements development, flowdown, traceability, and management
• Cross-disciplinary technical leadership
• Risk, configuration, and change management
• Analytical analysis and performance modeling
• Compliance with NSF, federal, and applicable engineering standards (ISO, ASTM, ANSI, IEEE, IEC)
• Strategic, collaborative problem solving

At the National Solar Observatory, you’ll join a mission-driven community working at the frontier of solar science. Our teams are dedicated to understanding the Sun in ways that protect technology, enhance scientific discovery, and inspire global audiences. NSO offers a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where curiosity is encouraged, varied perspectives are valued, and employees can make a tangible impact on science and society.

Here, you will have the opportunity to grow your career, lead innovative outreach programs, and help shape the national conversation around solar physics and space weather.

• Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten (10) or more years of relevant engineering experience, including at least five (5) years in a systems engineering or technical leadership role on large-scale projects.
• Demonstrated experience defining and managing complex system architectures.
• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams through design, integration, and verification phases.
• Strong analytical, modeling, and technical documentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with engineering management tools, requirements databases, and configuration management systems.

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD) or certifications (PE, PMP) are an asset.
• Experience working on National Science Foundation (NSF) or federally funded research or infrastructure projects.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.…