Engineer Principal - Space Vehicle Systems and Simulators

Principal Systems/Software Engineer

Boulder, CO Top Secret/SCI Polygraph Career Level not specified $118,095 - $200,762

Job Description Minimum $15,000 Sign On Bonus being offered for external hires. Our Space & Mission Systems sector is seeking a Principal Systems/Software Engineer to join our Space Vehicle Simulator team. In this role, you will work at the forefront of hardware-software integration for space missions. The simulators we design and deliver function as system-level prototypes supporting critical program activities, including flight software development and test, risk-reduction integration, ground system development, and mission operator training.

We are seeking an engineer with systems thinking, leadership, and ownership-someone who ensures simulator products meet their intended technical and operational use cases, from concept through delivery. This position reports to the Space Vehicle Simulators Engineering Manager and is ideal for candidates with a deep interest in aerospace systems and how satellites are developed, produced, operated, and tested.

What You'll Do:

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of real-time simulations of space vehicles in both hardware-in-the-loop and software-only digital environments.
• Apply systems-engineering rigor to define use cases, capture requirements, validate architectures, and ensure simulator products fulfill their mission-critical applications across multiple stakeholders.
• Own technical decision-making and provide leadership within the simulator development team, guiding architecture, integration strategies, and quality assurance.
• Perform full software lifecycle activities, including requirements development, architecture, design, coding, testing, integration, and documentation.
• Develop and deploy containerized simulation components using OCI-compliant technologies such as Podman or Docker.
• Work within a collaborative Agile team using Git Lab, coding standards, Dev Sec Ops  pipelines, and modern development practices.
• Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

On-Site Work Environment:
This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
• May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
• May access other facilities in various weather conditions.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.
• Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Polygraph.
• Experience or exposure to model-based simulation development using C++ and MATLAB/Simulink; preference for candidates with auto-code generation experience (Embedded Coder, Simulink Coder, MATLAB Coder).
• Experience designing, developing, and testing operational system software using languages such as C/C++, Ruby, or Python.
• Understanding or experience with real-time operating systems such as Linux and VxWorks.
• Experience with OCI-compliant container technologies, including Podman or Docker, and deploying simulation services in containerized environments.
• Familiarity with control theory, hardware-in-the-loop, and processor-in-the-loop simulation environments.
• Demonstrated systems engineering capability, including requirements development, verification, interface definition, architecture evaluation, and end-use case validation.
• Experience with formal development practices including version control, coding standards, and style guides.