Senior Systems Engineer

Capella Space stands at the forefront of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology and signal intelligence. We provide customers in governments, academia, and commercial sectors with reliable information that enables unparalleled understanding of the world. Our mission is centered on delivering timely and reliable Earth imagery, supporting diverse applications in defense & intelligence, disaster response, energy, environmental monitoring and more. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Capella Space designs, manufactures and operates an advanced constellation of SAR imaging satellites. Our market-leading SAR satellites are complemented by an unmatched data infrastructure and automated ordering and delivery platform for fast, reliable insights where and when customers need it most. 

Recognized for our technological prowess, Capella Space was honored as one of the 10 most innovative companies in Space in 2023 by FASTCOMPANY. Capella Space is an internationally trusted Earth Observation data provider, working closely with the U.S. Space Systems Command, U.S. Space Force, NASA, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, the Canadian Government and more to make unclassified, high-resolution SAR data more accessible.  

What Makes Capella Unique? 

Capella Space is a highly collaborative team environment, providing an opportunity to work with some of the brightest minds in the space industry, though no prior space experience is needed.  We’re looking for people excited about tackling seemingly impossible challenges, learning new skills and concepts, and helping each other achieve success. Our mission and our products are meant to understand the whole world and help everyone in it - regardless of race, creed, or any other distinction. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective to help make us stronger, including applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. 

About the Role & Team 

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Systems Engineer to lead the technical evolution and sustainment of the Acadia spacecraft. This could include internal technology development, integrating vendor subsystems, platform modifications for customer needs, and anomaly investigations. The Acadia platform is currently operational on orbit and in ongoing production. The tech lead will act as the “go to” person for all Acadia efforts for R&D and product sustainment. They will support the production organization in their work to build Acadia systems and manage any Acadia design changes as may be necessary throughout the life of the product, including such things as component obsolescence, system enhancements, anomaly resolution, design verification, and regression testing.

This role is high-visibility, high-impact, and significantly cross-functional. Project resources are provided by engineering managers of various disciplines, such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and software engineering teams. In this role you will work closely with project teams as well as the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) who set the vision for the spacecraft and subsystem capability roadmap.

Additionally, the tech lead will support the business development teams and ELT with trade studies related to design enhancements to support customers interested in the Acadia platform. This role will report to the Senior Manager, Spacecraft Systems within the R&D organization.

Role Responsibilities

• Drive Acadia Spacecraft & Subsystem Design: Oversee the conceptualization, trade studies, design, development, and deployment of spacecraft and subsystem design improvements, including propulsion, power, thermal, communications, avionics, and structural subsystems.
  • Technical budgets & logical decomposition
  • Interface management
  • Technical requirements definition
  • Technology roadmap
  • Record and communicate design and design decisions
  • Test definition and support
• Manage the Acadia tech roadmap
  • Technical soundness and feasibility of changes
  • Timelines for changes (development schedules and mapping into manufacturing schedules)
  • Understanding of mission application and CONOPs
• Manage changes and risks of the Acadia system. Define processes and guide team to implement specifically tailored processes suited to each application.
  • Change Control Board
  • Risk Review Board
  • Subsystem or board level design reviews
• System Verification & Validation (V&V): Support V&V activities to ensure design compliance with performance specifications, safety standards, and mission objectives.
  • Define appropriate level of regression or re-testing needed to verify design updates against an existing production product
• Sustaining Engineering: manage design and execution of accepted changes
  • Prioritizing work, reviewing work, escalating issues, etc.
• Support proposal efforts that apply to Acadia spacecraft
  • Review proposals for technical soundness and feasibility
  • Maintain register of proposed satellite configurations and identify opportunities for cohesiveness of potential applications

Qualifications 

• Significant first-hand experience on a small to medium-sized technology development program, ideally having been involved in at least one end-to-end design-to-deployment lifecycle.
• Spacecraft program lifecycle experience is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record in systems engineering, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
• Experience with operational systems and end user applications.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Experience in supporting project management, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation, with a focus on delivering high-quality results on time and within budget.
• Creative problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to identifying and resolving technical challenges and risks.
• Preference for a fast-paced dynamic environment.
• To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.  

Compensation 

The annual salary range for this role as it is posted is $123,000 - $197,000. The final job level and annual salary will be determined based on the education, qualification, knowledge, skills, ability, and experience of the final candidate(s), specific office location and calibrated against relevant market data and internal team equity. Benefits listed in this posting may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Capella Space.    

Benefits/Perks 

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative, collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team, we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

• We provide extensive medical coverage, including strong vision and dental plans, flexible spending accounts, and additional supplemental health options.
• 401K Plan to invest in your long-term retirement goals
• Generous Parental Leave 
• Paid Flexible Time Off Policy 
• Lifestyle Spending Account 
• Commuter & Parking Benefits 
• Mental Health Resources 
• Monthly Phone Stipend 
• Daily provided lunches and stocked kitchens. 
• Furry friends? We’ve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options

Equal Opportunity Statement 

Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and upholding equitable hiring practices. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic under federal, state, or local law, including those with a criminal history, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the CA Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply, and we work to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all applicants throughout the interview process. If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process, please notify recruiting@capellaspace.com 

To learn more about us, explore our site: https://www.capellaspace.com/  and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!