Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States' security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory's mission.

Pay Range

$202,500 - $308,184 Annually

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually for SES.4 Level

$243,060 - $308,184 Annually for SES.5 Level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Senior Spacecraft Engineer to lead multi-disciplinary teams in concept development, requirements generation, preliminary system design, and performance analysis for the Z Program's Space Science and Security Program (SSSP). In this position you will have the opportunity to take a leading role in both analytical intelligence programs and design of advanced space payloads. You will collaborate with scientific and engineering personnel as well as senior management to design flight systems to support national security, commercial and science missions; and manage a range of activities within the portfolio concentrated on using proven capabilities for mission areas such as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR); space situational awareness (SSA); communications; and other missions. You will coordinate with DOE and other intelligence community stakeholders to provide expert technical knowledge to answer questions critical to United States national security. You will have project management responsibility for defining and implementing the intellectual, programmatic, and supervisory functions necessary to ensure the successful execution of the program's research agenda and the development of a broad range of interfaces with current and potential sponsors. This position is in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will

• Operate under consultative direction with substantial authority, using in-depth analysis and subject matter expertise in highly advanced concepts, to resolve a diverse range of highly complex problems, independently determine strategies, modify approaches, and pursue actions that impact organizational operations or directions and achieve long-term goals.
• Develop, implement, and provide highly advanced engineering solutions and technical analysis to resolve highly complex technical and programmatic issues.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team including engineers, scientists, intelligence analysts, and technical staff in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems, performing highly complex analyses, and successfully accomplishing specific technical goals relevant to lab mission areas in space systems.
• Define system and sub-system requirements for applications in collaboration with APLs, Chief Technologist, and project systems architects on multiple programs, establishing technical milestones and business plans for program execution.
• Propose, develop, execute, and guide strategies that enhance the ability of the lab to address new opportunities in space flight hardware utilizing highly advanced technical knowledge of space systems engineering and best practices in the aerospace community.
• Develop new and innovative strategies for addressing pressing national security issues in technology and intelligence.
• Coordinate and interface directly with management and external sponsors to communicate technical milestones, solicit input from, and provide advice to technical leaders in the space program.
• Utilize highly advanced technical expertise and analytical skills to communicate results through formal and complex technical reports, presentations and peer-reviewed scientific journals as appropriate.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to the development and establishment of integrated strategies for space program activities consistent with the goals of the SSSP and Z Program.
• Serve as primary technical contact to work closely and actively partner and communicate with U.S. Government sponsors, other organizations, and technology leaders to provide technical input, apply highly advanced technical knowledge, and develop, implement, and refine new concepts that support national security priorities.
• Maintain appropriate security in a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) environment for information and systems that are under the APL's direct control.
• Establish broad project vision and strategy, and influence technical direction to drive successful outcomes for deliverables.
• Provide highly advanced technical guidance and mentorship to technical staff, fostering their technical development and supporting their growth within the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.5 level

• Work under broad consultative direction with significant autonomy, using expert and specialized knowledge, to resolve highly unusual, complex, and/or sensitive problems, and to influence, set, and direct high-level objectives and strategic plans that impact organizational operations and attain long-range program goals and objectives.
• Influence strategic technical decisions and interact directly with senior leaders at U.S. government agencies to champion, develop, and implement new mission architectures and demonstration systems.
• Provide guidance and strategic vision for scientific and technical direction of projects within the Space Hardware and Engineering Assessments Programs. Brief overall impact and approach of work to senior management.
• Execute, guide, and ensure alignment and adherence of team responsibilities and performance to strategic technical decisions made by senior management and external customers.
• Act as senior technical expert and represent the Laboratory on high-level external scientific or technical committees.
• Utilize expert-level communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills to effectively advise and influence senior Laboratory personnel and other key stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Optics or relevant technical field or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Significant experience with and highly advanced knowledge in one or more technical areas related to spacecraft engineering. These areas may include but are not limited to systems engineering, high-TRL optical flight hardware, communications and telecommand, mission and orbit design, power and computer systems, thermal control, structures, guidance navigation and control, and propulsion.
• Significant experience with and demonstrated ability to successfully lead and motivate a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and analysts in achieving project objectives which include solving highly complex problems, project systems engineering requirements definition and verification, and resource and project management.
• Significant experience conducting research and analysis related to national security issues.
• Expert-level knowledge and understanding of National Security mission requirements and significant applied experience with programs and projects for National Security mission applications and related issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with laboratory technical experts and coordinate with other U.S. government agencies.
• Expert-level strategic planning, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage complex initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills and experience in preparing highly complex reports and successfully delivering highly advanced technical presentations, as well as expert facilitation and collaboration skills to effectively influence and advise senior management and external sponsors.
• Ability to travel as necessary to meet with and present analyses to sponsors, stakeholders and counterparts.
• Ability to perform classified work in classified workspaces.

Additional qualifications at the SES.5 level

• Expert knowledge in how national-level priorities drive investments and decision-making by funding agencies with execution and acquisition authority.
• Extensive experience leading large, dynamic projects and multi-organizational efforts with significant impact on long-term goals, including providing organizational guidance and influence in defining and/or refining processes and procedures.
• Extensive experience and proven track record of successfully leveraging federal resources and partnerships to develop new project portfolios and catalyze innovation.
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in managing and leading multidisciplinary (scientists, engineers, and analysts) project teams.
• Extensive experience conducting research and analysis related to national security issues, including extensive experience with Intelligence Community and Department of Defense needs and practices, as well as SCI security marking, intelligence oversight and compliance, and related security and safety practices.

Qualifications We Desire

• Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Optics, or related field.
• Experience managing and leading multi-million-dollar research and development project portfolios.
• Detailed knowledge of industrial spacecraft engineering processes, troubleshooting, standards, and practices.
• Detailed knowledge of how U.S. government agencies evaluate and acquire new systems, preferably gained from directly supporting national security space organizations through previous military service, a long-term assignment or employment at a U.S. government agency or equivalent combination of related experiences.
• Experience in the development and use of MBSE tools, methods, and techniques, as applied to spaceflight systems.
• Requires subject matter expert knowledge (often recognized internally and externally) of highly advanced concepts spanning one or more areas in science, technology, or engineering.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. Also, you must have the ability to obtain and maintain Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

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