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Salary: USD 200,000 - 255,000 / annual
Terran Orbital, a leading satellite manufacturer serving aerospace and defense industries, is seeking an experienced Systems Engineering Architect to join the engineering team. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, you will lead the design and integration of advanced space satellite architectures, defining technology roadmaps and overseeing multi-domain subsystem integration into cohesive spacecraft platforms.
In this senior technical leadership role, you will architect end-to-end satellite solutions spanning avionics, power, propulsion, security, computer systems, communications, and navigation. Key responsibilities include:
- Define and implement spacecraft system architecture roadmaps aligned with mission objectives
- Lead Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) to evaluate avionics, power, propulsion, communication, and navigation solutions
- Establish technical standards and architectures supporting interoperability across platforms
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in subsystem design, integration, and qualification
- Champion innovative approaches to increase performance, reduce costs, and accelerate development cycles
- Oversee execution of spacecraft architecture projects from concept through deployment
- Establish and maintain technical performance metrics, schedules, and budgets
- Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations teams
- Mentor and lead engineering teams, fostering technical excellence and innovation
- Partner with vehicle engineering, mission architecture, and external stakeholders
- Represent the company in industry forums, standards bodies, and with government partners
You will work in a professional office environment within a manufacturing company setting, with routine computer usage and occasional facility visits. The role requires U.S. citizenship and eligibility for DoD security clearance due to space technology export regulations.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field (advanced degree preferred)
- 12+ years of experience in spacecraft systems engineering and architecture
- Demonstrated expertise across avionics, power, propulsion, security, computer architecture, communications, and navigation subsystems
- Proven track record architecting complex "systems of systems" for space missions
- Strong background in RF communications, SDRs, antennas, DSP, and navigation algorithms
- Experience developing technology roadmaps and leading AoA for complex technical systems
- Knowledge of spacecraft integration, verification, and environmental qualification
- Eligible for U.S. DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ph.D. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
- Experience with deep space communications, inter-satellite links, and ground station networks
- Knowledge of secure computing architectures and regulatory spectrum management
- Background in digital signal processing algorithms and advanced communications theory
- Experience working with NASA, DoD, or other government partners on spacecraft systems
- Track record of innovation demonstrated through patents, publications, or successful technology transitions
