Principal Systems Engineer

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People around the globe—including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, lone workers, ships, aircraft, and remote operations—rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously, and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. We also commit to providing an exciting, innovative workplace where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions.

Our teams are passionate about their work and the impact Iridium makes worldwide. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates its employees and provides the opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Principal Systems Engineer

Job Location s: US-VA-Reston
• US-AZ-Chandler
Job :
Category:
Engineering
• Worker Category:
Regular Full‑Time[F]

• Work independently to provide technical expertise for various components within a satellite ground system, ensuring compatibility, functionality, and performance at the system level.
• Develop and maintain system‑level architecture and design documentation, ensuring alignment with project requirements, industry standards, and best practices.
• Independently perform requirements analysis, definition, decomposition, and management for space and ground segments.
• Conduct risk assessments and mitigation planning for system design and development activities, identifying potential risks, developing contingency plans, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including hardware, software, and network engineers, to ensure seamless design, integration, and interoperability of system components.
• Play a key role in conducting required system analysis (functional & performance), interface definition, and detailed trade studies, analyzing multiple data sources to respond to frequent, complex, and high‑impact situations.
• Support the program technical team in major reviews such as Systems Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Operations Readiness Review (ORR).
• Support the coordination and delivery of multiple or complex technical assignments designed with end goals in mind, including managing shifting priorities.
• Work independently to ensure that projects meet technical performance targets, deliver quality results, and activities are well‑designed and meet overall project objectives.
• Collaborate with system architects and project managers to define system‑level requirements, establish technical baselines, and track performance metrics throughout the integration process.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or related field, OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in the satellite operations and/or ground segment development industry areas.
• Strong knowledge of system engineering methodologies and AGILE processes.
• Strong familiarity with tools and software applications that support system engineering best practices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently, and recognize and adapt to different communication techniques.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with others, including senior leadership outside your own department, and comfort providing constructive feedback to your team members and management.
• Ability to analyze a…