Systems Engineer, Space Emerging Talent with Security Clearance
The Systems Engineer, Space Emerging Talent role at Confidential Client involves designing, building, testing, and fielding next-generation spacecraft and ground systems to enhance U.S. and allied military space capabilities. This early-career position requires collaboration across hardware, software, and mission operations teams to translate mission objectives into engineering requirements, conduct trade studies, support testing, and ensure seamless integration in an agile environment. The role offers broad exposure to the full space program lifecycle and requires eligibility for a Top Secret security clearance.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role Overview
Confidential Client is seeking an early-career Systems Engineer, Space (Emerging Talent) to join a growing space-systems team in Costa Mesa, CA. This hands-on role sits at the intersection of hardware, software, and mission operations and offers exposure across the full spacecraft lifecycle: requirements, trade studies, integration, environmental testing, and launch integration.
What You’ll Do
- Support breakdown and traceability of mission objectives into system requirements, subsystem specs, and Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
- Perform mission- and system-level trade studies (mass, power, link budget, delta-V, thermal margins) to balance risk, performance, and schedule
- Assist in preparing technical data packages, analysis results, and presentation materials for SRR/PDR/CDR/TRR milestones
- Collaborate with assembly and test engineers to plan and execute functional checkouts and environmental testing (thermal vacuum, vibration, shock, EMI/EMC)
- Work across flight software, GNC, payload, electrical, and ground C2 teams to resolve discrepancies and enable hardware–software integration
- Maintain system budgets (mass, power, data, RF link), risk registers, and verification matrices throughout development
Required Qualifications
- Pursuing or recently completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace, Systems, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related STEM field
- 0–2 years of professional, internship, or hands-on university project team experience (e.g., CubeSat team, rocketry club, high-altitude balloon, multidisciplinary engineering projects)
- Baseline understanding of spacecraft subsystems (structures, thermal, power, avionics, GNC, communications, payloads) and subsystem interactions
- Familiarity with systems engineering lifecycle, requirements definition, and trade-study methodologies
- Proficiency with modeling/analysis tools such as MATLAB, Python, Excel, or CAD tools
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize technical findings clearly
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance
Preferred Qualifications
- Hands-on experience developing, integrating, or testing small satellites, payloads, or autonomous robotic systems
- Familiarity with spacecraft environmental testing standards (e.g., SMC-S-016 / MIL-STD-1540, NASA GEVS)
- Exposure to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) concepts/tools (e.g., SysML, Cameo)
- Experience with hardware–software integration, lab test equipment, or FlatSat environments
Location & Employment Type
- Location: Costa Mesa, CA (on-site)
- Employment type: Full-time
Compensation & Benefits
- US Salary Range: $99,000 - $130,000 USD (base salary estimate)
- Competitive equity grants included in most full-time offers; total compensation may vary based on experience and other factors
- Comprehensive benefits package (health, recovery, and other employee support programs)
Additional Notes
- This role involves work that may require access to classified information; candidates must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret clearance.
- Confidential Client takes candidate safety seriously — be cautious of recruitment scams that request payment or sensitive personal data via non-official channels.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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