Principal Satellite Systems Engineer, LEO Constellation

The challenge

Lead the system architecture for a high-throughput LEO constellation. Drive the technical roadmap for constellation-scale management, inter-satellite links, and manufacturing rate increases.

Role overview

Satellite system design from requirements through on-orbit commissioning. Subsystem requirements definition, interface control document management, and the trade-off decisions that determine whether the constellation meets its capacity and coverage commitments.

Specializations

Technical requirements

• MS in Aerospace Engineering or Systems Engineering
• 12+ years in satellite systems engineering, with 5+ years on LEO constellation programs
• Experience managing full-satellite system design from requirements through commissioning
• Ability to review and assess link budget analyses and RF payload performance for satellite communications
• Understanding of LEO orbital mechanics: coverage analysis, station keeping, deorbit planning
• Experience with spacecraft manufacturing processes and design-for-manufacturing principles

Key responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering for a LEO communications constellation
• Define satellite bus requirements and manage interface control documents across subsystems
• Review communication payload link budgets and ensure performance meets constellation requirements for Ka-band and V-band payloads
• Represent systems engineering in design-for-manufacturing reviews, ensuring producibility improvements maintain system performance
• Manage the mass, power, and thermal budgets across the satellite bus and payload
• Support on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution for operational satellites

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary: $220,000 - $265,000
• Equity in a growth-stage NewSpace company
• Launch viewing events for constellation deployments
• Relocation package
• 4 weeks PTO plus mission-success bonus days