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Principal Systems Engineer

Westminster, CO

The team at Advanced Space is leading humanity back to the Moon and pioneering innovative solutions in the space industry. Based in Westminster, Colorado, this incredible team is looking for a skilled and experienced Principal Systems Engineer to support our growing number of exciting projects, as well as oversight of our growing systems engineering team! In this role, you will work on a variety of technical projects including research applications, technical product development, and spaceflight programs. Many of these programs incorporate the full systems engineering lifecycle from concept development and requirements definition through design, integration, test, and on-orbit operations. This role would also involve the management of the Advanced Space systems engineering team through leadership, mentorship, and training. In addition to these opportunities, candidates may also have the opportunity to get involved in mission formulation and proposal development efforts. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver with a broad technical and leadership background, strong communication skills, and the ability to work across disciplines.

 Advanced Space is a rapidly growing, privately held business that operates with core values that reinforce we are customer obsessed and mission focused; when we see it, we solve it; we are one team, motivated by our vision; and we bring technical excellence and inexhaustible curiosity. This role will be based in Westminster, Colorado and an ideal candidate for this role will love not just the responsibilities but will also have a passion for the exploration, development, and settlement of space. This person will play an integral role in ensuring that our fast-paced and growing team is properly aligned and equipped to support mission planning, operations, and technological development.

This position is open to U.S. Persons only (U.S. citizens, or lawful permanent residents), as required by applicable laws and regulations.

We do not provide visa sponsorship or support work authorization for this role. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the technical authority for mission architecture and system design on complex space missions, with an emphasis on cislunar and deep space systems.
  • Lead the definition and evolution of mission concepts of operations, ensuring alignment with stakeholder needs, strategic objectives, and enterprise-level priorities.
  • Oversee mission formulation, requirements development, verification, and validation to ensure technical and programmatic success.
  • Act as the primary technical interface with customers, leading discussions, resolving high-impact issues, and ensuring clear, consistent communication throughout the program lifecycle.
  • Provide strategic direction and technical leadership from concept through implementation, integration, and operations for multiple concurrent projects.
  • Direct the development and management of complex interfaces, including authorship and control of Interface Control Documents (ICDs).
  • Lead the creation and execution of system-level test strategies, including approval of test plans/procedures and final authority on test result acceptance.
  • Chair and present at critical space system milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) with both internal stakeholders and external customers/agencies.
  • Guide and review spacecraft subsystem designs (Comm, GNC, ADCS, Propulsion, FDIR, EPS, etc.), ensuring optimal trade studies and design decisions that balance risk, cost, and performance.
  • Provide executive oversight of space mission operations planning, anomaly resolution, and long-term operational strategies.
  • Direct system-level risk management activities, ensuring proactive identification, tracking, and mitigation of technical and programmatic risks.
  • Lead and represent the company in regulatory processes including orbital debris assessment, spectrum licensing, and compliance with international/national space regulations.
  • Contribute to and review technical proposals, ensuring competitive positioning and innovation in response to solicitations.
  • Support the decision making process on whether an opportunity aligns with the skillset and technical vision of the company from a systems engineering perspective.
  • Shape and advance company-level best practices in Systems Engineering, including implementation and improvement of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methods and tools.
  • Mentor and develop engineering talent, providing technical coaching and career guidance to team members across disciplines.
  • Inform systems engineering staffing of ongoing and future projects and project out hiring needs.
  • Perform evaluations of team members to support career growth.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • B.S./M.S./Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline.
  • 15-20 years of progressively responsible experience in space mission implementation for flight and ground systems, with deep experience in deep space and/or cislunar missions.
  • Proven record as a lead systems engineer on missions from concept through operations, including managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams and multiple subcontractors.
  • Demonstrated expertise in mission architecture, spacecraft design, and system integration across multiple subsystems.
  • Strong customer engagement skills, with a history of leading technical negotiations and influencing high-level decision-making.
  • Proficiency with MBSE methodologies and tools (e.g., Cameo), and the ability to implement them across programs.
  • Proficiency with requirement management methodologies and tools (e.g., Jama), and the ability to implement them across programs
  • Familiarity with NASA’s Systems Engineering Handbook, DoD space acquisition processes, and relevant industry standards.
  • Experience with spacecraft communication system design, mission design, and satellite navigation.
  • Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python preferred) for mission analysis, modeling, automation, and tool development.
  • Hands-on experience with space mission assembly, integration, and testing.
  • Recognized for strategic thinking, innovation, and technical leadership in the aerospace community.
  • Experience leading/managing a team across multiple programs.
  • Ability to adapt the implementation of systems engineering practices to foster a “new space” approach.

Eligibility Requirements

  • This is an IMMEDIATE hiring need. 
  • Ability to work in the Westminster, CO office 3-5 days/week. Unless work requires otherwise.
  • Applicants must be a US Citizen.
  • Must have a Security Clearance: Active [e.g., Secret/Top Secret/TS/SCI] security clearance required
  • Advanced Space values the power of collaboration and in-person interactions. As such, our team enjoys the option of hybrid work with at least three days a week in person.

Compensation and Benefits:

  • Base Salary Range – $150,000 - $170,000  based on role and experience
  • Signing bonus
  • Quarterly performance bonuses
  • Company provided health insurance and 401K plan upon eligibility
  • Flexible PTO
  • Relocation Assistance

About the company:

Advanced Space exists to enable the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through software and services that leverage unique subject matter expertise. The company is actively supporting mission and cutting-edge capabilities spanning commercial, civil, and national security customers. Our core business is focused on three areas: (1) mission enabling services, (2) technology solutions and (3) mission solutions. Through its mission enabling services, Advanced Space provides mission and flight optimization, mission design, mission systems engineering. With its technology solutions Advanced Space provides its customers with trusted AI/ML/autonomy expertise, flight-demonstrated applications, and analysis at scale. Advanced Space offers Mission Solutions with unique turn-key missions, data and capabilities purchases and demonstrated cislunar and Martian success. Advanced Space is mission focused as the owner and operator of CAPSTONE™ for NASA and Prime contractor for Oracle for AFRL.

These competencies are leveraged by a dynamic, flexible, and agile team with cross domain knowledge. We have a small but growing team that works collaboratively across projects. We provide flexibility, and an opportunity for passionate employees to contribute directly to meaningful projects. Trusted to take on the challenge, the team at Advanced Space is Delivering Innovation to Orbit™ to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

Advanced Space, LLC recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

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