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Principal Systems Engineer

Maxar Technologies

Maxar Technologies

Software Engineering
Multiple locations
Posted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Please review the job details below.

At Maxar Space, our products are vast: from our World View Legion platform for earth observation, to the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) supporting NASA’s Artemis Program return to the Moon, to our highly reliable 1300/Legion class platform for communications applications. We are now also designing the next generation of earth imaging satellites and proliferated LEO constellations.

Maxar is currently seeking an experienced Senior Systems Engineer with broad and deep expertise in autonomous, on orbit, fault management architecture and hardware software design for Maxar’s World View Legion program, an agile, high-accuracy imaging mission and product line. Particular expertise is required in systems safety analysis and design, fault detection hardware and software design, spacecraft integration, troubleshooting, and verification for space-based imaging systems with experience in cradle-to-grave hardware/software development, integration, test, and on-orbit operations.

You will apply your systems engineering experience and technical expertise to lead and apply good systems engineering discipline to a complex space-based imaging program, converting mission needs into an appropriate design through ConOps development, requirements development and decomposition, system functional analysis, system analysis and trades, design and development support. As the program progresses, your focus would transition to verification, integration, and validation activities as well as product line evolution.

We are currently seeking candidates with broad space-based space systems safety, autonomous fault detection isolation and recovery and Guidance Navigation/Controls subsystem design. Experience in mission planning, operations, imaging technologies and techniques, Avionics, Propulsion, Power Systems, and RF/Communication Systems is a plus. This role will be performed in our Palo Alto, California facility.

Responsibilities:

  • Support the development of the on board. autonomous fault detection isolation and recovery requirements, architecture, interfaces, system performance and technical roadmap
  • Drive system analysis and mission level trades
  • Support development of system CONOPS and Use cases along with resulting fault scenarios and recovery approaches
  • Lead development and implementation of fault detection signatures and action trigger criteria along with associated recovery logic and command sequences
  • Coordinate cross functional inputs to spacecraft fault mode and recovery schemes
  • Provide requirements and work in integrated teams with flight software development personnel to implement fault recovery subsystem logic and sequences
  • Support fault management and system autonomy subsystem requirements & verification/validation management plans, determine requirements flow down to units and lower levels
  • Interface with customers, compile briefing packages to lead and present at gated reviews
  • Interface with Avionics unit vendors to identify anomalous performance signatures and required recovery commands and actions
  • Manage the allocation and derivation of system level requirements to system elements
  • Manage technical dependencies of customer ground systems, spacecraft systems, subsystems and coordinate collaboration across individuals and teams as appropriate
  • Partner with engineering leads to capture & manage technical risks including contributor & stakeholder risk management
  • Coordinate downstream internal customer’s dependencies
  • Interface appropriately with PMO, Chief Engineer, Master Scheduler, and Customer
  • Solve integrated spacecraft issues: work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders and cross functional teams to close on all systems issues and trades
  • Drive Spacecraft testing: Support fault management test plans and methodology development, and establish verification practices, and review and approve verification test results and artifacts

Minimum Requirements:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, or related field. Four additional years of experience may be substituted for a degree
  • Minimum of 8 years of systems engineering experience. A master's degree will count toward two years of experience.
  • Experience with NASA, DoD or FAA Program Management, Software Engineering, or Systems Engineering standards
  • Experience in space-based imaging technologies and mission operations.
  • Systems Engineering experience across multiple interacting hardware and software subsystems
  • Professional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills
  • Applicants should have engineering, manufacturing, software, and testing background experience
  • Experience with any requirements management systems (i.e. JAMA)
  • Proficiency in MSOffice Suite including Teams, Project, and Visio
  • Understanding of spacecraft design and product life cycle

Preferred Qualifications:

  • MS degree or PhD in a special field of Engineering or Science
  • Experience with satellites and satellite industry, including government civil or defense and intelligence programs
  • Experience with software development standards and development methodologies
  • Familiarity with embedded flight code design
  • Experience in agile development methodologies
  • Expert with extensive practical and theoretical experience in systems modeling, simulation, system architectures
  • Experience with system autonomy design and test
  • Experience with system anomaly resolution

Our salary ranges are market-driven and set to allow for flexibility. Individual pay will be competitive based on a candidate’s unique set of knowledge, skills, and geographic diversity, with earnings potential commensurate with experience. The range for this position is:

$137,000.00 - $229,000.00 annually.


Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Maxar employees must follow all applicable Maxar policies and COVID-19 requirements as well as those of Maxar customers and third parties. Individual job requirements may vary, and Maxar reserves the right to modify its policies and requirements as it deems appropriate in accordance with applicable law.

Maxar Technologies values diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.