Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer

terranorbitalcorporation

Irvine, CA · Irvine · United States

Posted May 29, 2026

Full-time
Spacecraft Engineering

Job description

Join a team where your impact reaches beyond the stars! At Terran Orbital, you’re not just part of the system – you’re a vital force propelling our mission forward. As trailblazers in satellite manufacturing and aerospace innovation, we shatter boundaries daily to deliver groundbreaking solutions that power our nation’s defense and commercial missions. We are a unique, fast growing, and trusted team dedicated to swiftly and efficiently designing, building, launching, and operating state of the art satellites for advanced mission constellations. If you’re driven by purpose, inspired by challenges, and ready to leave your mark on the universe, you’ll find a home and endless opportunities for growth here. Together, let’s redefine what is possible in orbit and beyond!

Terran Orbital is seeking an experienced Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer to join our growing team. Reporting to the Systems Engineering Manager, the Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer will support the systems engineering team in the development, analysis, and definition of spacecraft designs. The Sr. Spacecraft Systems Engineer will use their technical expertise to define and manage subsystem specifications, interface control documents, the concept of operations, and system performance analyses for satellite space and ground systems.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Responsible for technical ownership of the full product lifecycle from concept through design, manufacturing, test, and verification
Participate in the design and development of spacecraft systems, ensuring compliance with mission requirements and industry standards.
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to design and integrate various subsystems, including propulsion, power, communication, and thermal control.
Conduct detailed technical analyses and simulations to validate system performance and identify potential issues.
Assist in the development and management of system requirements, ensuring traceability from high-level mission objectives down to component specifications.
Work with government and commercial customers to define system requirements and coordinate all technical aspects of the mission.
Work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop optimal solutions to complex problems.
Develop system architectures that efficiently satisfy customer and internal requirements.
Perform system trade studies to balance risk, cost, and performance.
Document architecture diagrams, system interfaces, requirements, flow downs, allocations, and verification methodologies.
Prepare and lead system design reviews.
Develop and execute test plans and procedures for spacecraft systems and subsystems.
Identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues that arise during the design, development, and testing phases.
Perform requirements verification and validation activities to ensure compliance with mission goals.
Additional responsibilities as necessary, including support of other program or product teams when subject matter expertise, review, or input is required.

Requirements

BS or MS in aerospace engineering, systems engineering, or a related discipline
5+ years of experience in systems engineering or similar disciplines related to spacecraft
Familiarity with satellite systems and subsystems
Familiarity with requirements mapping and decomposition
Familiarity with MATLAB, SolidWorks, STK, and Linux
Familiarity with satellite system budgets including mass, power, and link budgets
Familiarity with satellite program lifecycles, development flows, test events, and verification and validation
U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain DoD security clearance

Your actual level and base salary will be determined case-by-case and may vary based on the job-related qualification, knowledge, skills, education, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer 100% covered medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) match, Flexible Time Off (FTO), covered life insurance, maternity and paternity leave, tuition reimbursement, employee referrals, and lots of swag!

Salary Range

$135,000—$175,000 USD

Full-time positions only:

Benefits

100% Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents
401(k) Match
Flexible Time Off (FTO)
Education Reimbursement
Competitive Paid Parental Leave

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com

Physical Demands

An employee must meet the physical demands described to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. In performing the duties of this job, the employee is routinely required to sit or stand for long durations of time, in addition to bending, reaching, and walking. This would require the ability to lift or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move objects up to 25 pounds. This position is generally sedentary, with substantial computer usage.

Work Environment

The job operates in a professional office environment but in a manufacturing company. This job routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and scanners.

Disclaimers

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. In addition, please note that this position may require a current United States National Security clearance or eligibility for such a clearance.

Terran Orbital is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We consider applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or membership in any other group protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at hr@terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing firms. To conduct business with Terran Orbital, a Master Services Agreement (MSA) must be executed and confirmed prior to submitting any information relating to a potential candidate. Without a signed MSA, Terran Orbital shall not be responsible to any individual or entity for any payment relating to any form of fee or compensation.

And, in the event that a resume or candidate is submitted by a recruiter, an employment agency, or a staffing firm without a fully executed MSA, Terran Orbital has the unrestricted right to pursue and hire any of those candidate(s) without any legal or financial responsibility to the recruiter, agency, and/or firm.