Mission Systems Engineer

Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) seeks a Mid‑ to Senior‑Level Mission Systems Engineer to support the development and execution of space missions across formulation, development, integration, test, launch, and operations. The candidate will ensure technical coherence across spacecraft, payloads, launch vehicles, ground systems, and mission operations, emphasizing mission architecture development, requirements management, interface definition, and end‑to‑end mission execution. The role supports NASA and commercial space missions, including PI‑led, cost‑capped missions such as Small Explorer, MIDEX, and Discovery, and offers the opportunity to work closely with scientists, engineers, project managers, and external partners.

The Civil & Commercial Space Division is at the forefront of scientific research and space exploration. SDL equips major government and commercial missions with calibrated, state‑of‑the‑art sensors and satellites and provides world‑class AI&T technologies and mission management. Projects cover planetary science, Earth observation, heliophysics, and astrophysics, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space and contributing to monumental scientific discoveries.

• Leads systems engineering for space missions from mission concept through development, AI&T, and mission operations
• Develops and manages requirements at multiple levels: mission, system, and subsystem
• Maintains requirements traceability matrices and verification plans
• Collaborates with mission partners, including principal investigators, program manager, hardware providers, mission assurance managers, operations teams, etc.
• Defines and controls interfaces between spacecraft, payload, launch vehicle, and ground systems
• Develops plans, procedures, reports, presentations, and other required technical documentation
• Supports trade studies, mission architecture development, and technical decision‑making
• Performs system‑level technical analysis to measure performance and resource margins, determine failure modes, and find solutions to technical challenges
• Participates in design reviews and other milestone reviews
• Supports risk management processes through identification, assessment, and mitigation
• Collaborates with project management on cost, schedule, and technical performance
• Supports integration and test (I&T), anomaly resolution, and mission operations, as required
• Ensures compliance with applicable NASA standards and/or project‑level requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• 10+ years of related experience, with experience in a lead systems engineering role
• Experience in systems engineering for space missions or spacecraft and payload subsystems
• Ability to interpret customer‑driven requirements and determine areas of risk from a technical, cost, and schedule perspective
• Ability to provide risk mitigation strategies
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams
• Ability to provide mentoring and feedback to junior engineers
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Must be able and willing to occasionally travel to partner institutions, integration facilities, or launch sites
• Must be a US citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant technical discipline
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems (e.g., avionics, power, thermal, GNC, communications)
• Knowledge of space payload subsystems (e.g., detectors, optics, RF elements, power, data)
• Experience with NASA PI‑led, cost‑capped or equivalent spaceflight missions
• Familiarity with NASA systems engineering processes (e.g., NPR 7123)
• Familiarity with system‑level simulation with software tools such as STK
• Experience with MBSE and its related software tools
• Ability to tailor systems engineering processes for commercial applications
• Experience supporting mission operations or anomaly resolution
• Background in science‑driven missions (astrophysics, heliophysics, planetary)
• Familiarity with requirements…