Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world.   For over 20 years, Iridium’s unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed.  Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions.  Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world.  Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves.   We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

What We’re Looking For:

Iridium is seeking a motivated Senior Systems Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for numerous technical aspects regarding the architecture and design of core system components (Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Ground Entry Point Manager, and Fleet Operations Monitoring) during the development life cycle of the Space Development Agency (SDA) project. You will also perform various tasks with Space Vehicle Vendors and SDA customer point of contacts to ensure that our system level development meets mission objectives. If you enjoy new challenges and dynamic environments, then we want to talk to you!

What You’ll Do:

• Provide customer interface for key areas of technical responsibilities
• Be a lead engineer and author/editor for the SDA PWSA (Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture) Space to Ground ICD (Interface Control Documentation) and/or lead Iridium liaison to GD-MS (General Dynamics – Mission Systems) for said document
• Facilitate weekly or biweekly Space to Ground Working Group meetings with GMI (Ground Mission Integration), SVV (Space Vehicle Vendor), and SDA participants
• Review and analyze SVV Space to Ground ICDs and related information to determine compliance with interface requirements and compatibility with systems
• Provide technical expertise for various components within a satellite ground system, ensuring compatibility, functionality, and performance at the system level
• Develop and maintain system-level architecture and design documentation, ensuring alignment with project requirements, industry standards, and best practices
• Perform requirements analysis, definition, decomposition, and management for Space and Ground Segments
• Conduct risk assessments and mitigation planning for system design and development activities, identifying potential risks, developing contingency plans, and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including hardware, software, and network engineers, to ensure seamless design, integration, and interoperability of system components
• Conduct required system analysis (functional & performance), interface definition, and detailed trade studies, analyzing data sources to respond to frequent and high impact situations
• Play a role in major reviews such as: System Requirements Review, Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, Test Readiness Review, & Operations Readiness Review as well as Program Increment Demonstrations
• Collaborate with system architects and project managers to define system-level requirements, establish technical baselines, and track performance metrics throughout the integration process.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in system’s engineering or related field, OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of a degree
• 8+ years of relevant experience in the Satellite Operations and/or Ground Segment Development industry areas
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues to groups outside of your team or those who are unfamiliar with the topic
• Strong knowledge of system engineering methodologies and AGILE processes
• Strong familiarity with tools and software applications that support system engineering best practices
• Have confidence and be able to easily build relationships with leadership and colleagues outside of your team
• Possess an analytical mindset, with the ability to understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions and come up with out-of-the-box solutions
• Be proactive in providing feedback and be enthusiastic in sharing your knowledge with others
• Capable of prioritizing your own tasks and potentially the tasks of others while making sure deadlines are met

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Experieince with defining, analyzing and documenting RF (Radio Frequency) and optical communication system interface requirements
• Experieince with analyzing data and conducting technical feasibility analysis and trade studies for the optimization of the SDA satellite spectral resources
• Experience with Satellite RF Communications theory or practical experience
• Experience with designing, developing, and operating Space Vehicle Subsystems and various command and control systems (e.g. OS Comet, InControl, etc.)
• Experience with aspects of the Hardware Software Development Life Cycle process
• Experience with orbital mechanics, space vehicle launches and early orbit functions
• Experience with modeling and simulations of mesh networks
• Programming languages such as: Java, Java-Script, Python, Shell scripting
• Working knowledge of networking protocols, routers, switches, etc.
• Familiarity with Atlassian Tool Suite such JIRA, R4J and Confluence

We’ll also need you to:

• Be able to travel up to 10%
• Be a US citizen with no dual citizenships.
• Be able to work in the office at least 2 days a week to foster collaboration with the team

Work Environment:

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse and printer. For meetings in-person, this position will need to be able stand, walk within the office and climb stairs on occasion.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/ Vets/Disability and other protected categories.