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Sr. Systems Engineer (8-12 yrs)

Westminster, CO

Advanced Space | Full-time | Hybrid

We’re going to the Moon. Think you’ve got what it takes? 

 

About the Role 

At Advanced Space, we're enabling humanity's return to the Moon and building the technologies that will take us to Mars and beyond. We're looking for a Senior Systems Engineer with 8–12 years of experience to lead mission-critical systems engineering efforts across the full lifecycle of space systems—from concept to orbit and beyond.

In this role, you'll lead the development of mission concepts, ConOps, system architectures, technical baselines, requirements, interfaces, and verification strategies. You'll provide system-level technical leadership across spacecraft, ground systems, flight software, mission operations, and relevant subsystem disciplines while working directly with customers and mission partners throughout the mission lifecycle.

You'll have the opportunity to support complex aerospace and spaceflight programs across multiple lifecycle phases, including system development, integration and test, launch, commissioning, and operations. You'll also help shape future missions through early-phase studies, proposals, technical trade studies, and the development of junior engineers.

We're looking for someone who brings strong technical judgment, enjoys solving complex system-level problems, and is comfortable taking ownership of mission-critical technical decisions. If you're passionate about space exploration and want to see your work contribute directly to missions that fly, this is the role for you.

This position is open to U.S. Persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or other protected individuals) only. Visa sponsorship is not available. Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for current or future sponsorship. An active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance is preferred.

About Advanced Space 

Advanced Space exists to enable the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space through innovative software, mission services, and technology solutions. As the owner and operator of NASA's CAPSTONE™ mission and the Prime Contractor for AFRL's Oracle mission, we're helping shape the future of cislunar exploration while supporting commercial, civil, and national security customers.

Our team combines deep technical expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset. We move quickly, collaborate across disciplines, and empower every engineer to make meaningful contributions. 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.

If you're passionate about solving challenging problems and seeing your work fly in space, you'll fit right in.

 What You'll Actually Do 

Lead mission and system architecture development.

Lead the development of mission concepts, ConOps, system architectures, and technical baselines. Translate mission objectives and stakeholder needs into practical system-level solutions that balance performance, cost, schedule, risk, operability, and mission assurance.

Develop and manage system requirements.

Translate customer and stakeholder needs into measurable system requirements. Lead requirements allocation, traceability, verification, and validation while ensuring requirements remain aligned with mission objectives and overall system performance.

Lead system-level trade studies and technical decisions.

Evaluate system-level design options and lead technical trade studies across spacecraft, ground systems, flight software, mission operations, and relevant subsystem disciplines. Use sound technical judgment to drive decisions and manage impacts to performance, cost, schedule, risk, and mission success.

Manage system interfaces and integration.

Define and manage internal and external system interfaces, including Interface Control Documents (ICDs). Provide technical oversight of system integration and ensure interfaces are effectively coordinated across multidisciplinary engineering teams and mission partners.

Lead verification, validation, and test activities.

Plan and guide integration, verification, validation, test, and operational-readiness activities. Lead or support major technical reviews, including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and operational-readiness reviews.

Provide technical leadership across the mission lifecycle.

Provide system-level technical oversight from early mission design through development, integration and test, launch, commissioning, and operations. Work across spacecraft, ground systems, flight software, mission operations, and subsystem teams to ensure the overall system remains aligned and mission-ready.

Partner directly with customers and mission teams.

Work directly with customers and mission partners throughout the mission lifecycle. Communicate complex technical concepts clearly, support technical decision-making, and help ensure customer needs are translated into successful system solutions.

Manage technical risks and system performance.

Identify and manage technical risks, system margins, technical performance measures, and engineering-change impacts. Support risk management and technical assessments to ensure mission objectives remain achievable throughout development and operations.

Support mission operations and future missions.

Contribute to mission operations activities, including contingency planning, anomaly resolution, and system evolution. Support early-phase mission studies, proposals, and the development of future mission concepts and architectures.

Mentor and develop engineers.

Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers. Share systems engineering knowledge, encourage strong technical practices, and help develop the next generation of engineers at Advanced Space.

Who Thrives Here 

  • You have 8–12 years of progressively responsible systems engineering experience supporting spaceflight or other complex aerospace systems.
  • You have a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
  • You have demonstrated experience with system architecture, ConOps, requirements development and traceability, interface management, and verification and validation.
  • You have experience leading technical reviews, trade studies, integration and test activities, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • You have supported complex aerospace or other safety-critical systems across multiple lifecycle phases, including system development, integration and test, operations, or related system-level activities.
  • You have strong technical judgment and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • You're comfortable engaging directly with customers, mission partners, and technical stakeholders.
  • You can provide technical leadership while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • You're adaptable, proactive, and mission-focused in dynamic technical environments.
  • You take ownership. When you see a challenge, you work with the team to solve it.
  • You have the ability to obtain an active U.S. Government Top Secret security clearance.
  • You're able to work in the Westminster, Colorado office five days per week during core business hours.

Bonus Points if You Have Experience With

  • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), particularly Cameo
  • Python or another programming/scripting language
  • Requirements or configuration-management tools such as Jama
  • Spacecraft communications
  • Mission design or spacecraft navigation
  • Spacecraft or ground systems
  • Flight software or mission operations
  • Launch and commissioning activities
  • Earth-orbit, cislunar, or deep-space missions
  • NASA systems-engineering practices
  • DoD space programs or comparable government-customer environments
  • Proposals and early-phase mission studies

Success is Measured By 

  • Leading successful development of mission concepts, ConOps, architectures, and technical baselines.
  • Developing and managing clear, traceable system requirements that support mission objectives.
  • Driving effective system-level trade studies and technically sound engineering decisions.
  • Successfully leading integration, verification, validation, and test activities.
  • Maintaining effective system interfaces and cross-disciplinary technical alignment.
  • Identifying and managing technical risks, system margins, and performance throughout the mission lifecycle.
  • Building strong relationships with customers and mission partners.
  • Providing effective technical leadership across spacecraft, ground, software, operations, and subsystem teams.
  • Supporting successful mission execution from development through launch, commissioning, and operations.
  • Mentoring junior engineers and strengthening systems engineering practices across the organization.

Why Join Advanced Space 

  • Lead systems engineering efforts on real missions that are shaping the future of lunar and deep-space exploration.
  • Work across the full lifecycle of complex space systems—from concept to orbit and beyond.
  • Collaborate directly with customers, mission partners, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
  • Contribute to cutting-edge spacecraft, mission, and technology development programs.
  • Be part of a growing company where your technical leadership has a direct impact on mission success.
  • Help develop future missions while mentoring the next generation of space engineers.
  • Join a team that's passionate about delivering innovation to orbit—and beyond.

Compensation & Benefits 

  • Base Salary: $134K–$174K (based on experience, qualifications, and location)
  • Signing bonus
  • Quarterly performance bonuses
  • Company-sponsored medical benefits and 401(k)
  • Unlimited vacation time and extensive flexibility
  • Relocation assistance
  • Hybrid work with at least three days per week in person

Advanced Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law. 

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