Sr. Principal Systems Engineer

Work Location: Albuquerque, NM or Herndon, VA

Clearance Requirement: Must have an active Top Secret / SCI security clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.

Employment Type: Full-time

Black Ve, Inc. is a mission-first, dynamic, and innovative national security-focused company focused on emerging space and advanced technologies dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence in support of our government customers.

This Senior Principal Systems Engineer will be responsible for the technical performance of a spacecraft system and the delivery of data products to users. You will contribute to the company’s proprietary designs and implementation to create cutting‑edge space systems that deliver novel products to end users.

• Play a key role in design, analysis, integration, testing, and operation of our spacecraft and data delivery systems.
• Perform as a critical member of our Spacecraft Programs team by serving as a key technical authority on a spacecraft system and data delivery systems.
• Identify and lead work within a small and agile team on a broad set of tasks and ensure the highest quality product through all phases of the space element design, build, test and operations.
• Actively collaborate across engineering, assembly, test, and software.
• Demonstrate personal ownership and accountability within the Spacecraft Programs Team to ensure successful execution and delivery.

• Leads, manages, and holds program systems engineering team accountable
• Responsible for the technical quality of all segments of the space mission: ground, launch, and space
• Lead the development of the space mission architecture and CONOPS in accordance with program goals
• Ensure technical architecture satisfies program goals by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create and curate system requirements and verification plans across all technical disciplines: mechanical, electrical, guidance and control, propulsion, ground software, flight software, mission software, assembly, integration, test, launch, and mission operations
• Ensure interface consistency across engineering, software, and assembly, integration, and test interfaces, curating all necessary systems engineering documentation
• Enforce configuration control and document review policies and processes
• Lead technical reviews and design trades
• Develop and execute test plans to verify the functionality, performance, and safety of the spacecraft system.
• Identify and manage technical risks in accordance with overall program risk posture
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning within the team.

• Knowledge and experience across either space domain awareness or satellite communications capabilities
• Must have an active Top Secret / SCI security clearance
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ Years of experience
• Knowledge and experience across all space mission segments:
  Ground, Launch, Space
• Knowledge and experience across the full spacecraft lifecycle from concept to disposal

• Experience crafting and satisfying commercial service level agreements for space sensing and communications
• Experience and deep knowledge of space systems and familiarity with spacecraft subsystems (e.g., attitude determination and control, propulsion, avionics) is necessary.
• Strong understanding of applying systems engineering principles, including requirements management, technical risk identification and mitigation, leading design efforts in a schedule and cost constrained project.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong technical leadership skills supporting junior engineering teams and integration with other internal engineering as well as programmatic teams.

This position is based in Herndon, VA or Albuquerque, NM, with occasional travel to other company locations or partner facilities as needed.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including flexible time off; 401(k) with company contribution.

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR. To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(A)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.