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Systems Engineer Senior Staff (Level 5)
Lockheed Martin CorporationHighlands Ranch, CO🇺🇸United StatesPosted 22 Jul 2026
Why This Role Stands Out
As a Senior Staff Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, you'll lead critical satellite integration for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, shaping the future of space technology and missile tracking. This hybrid role offers significant impact and growth potential, ideal for experienced systems engineers passionate about innovation and complex technical challenges within a renowned organization. Apply today to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in space and enjoy a rewarding career.
Quick Overview
Salary
$128.4k - $226.4k/yr
Work Type
Hybrid
Level
Mid Senior
Job Description
Job Description
Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more - we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.
OVERVIEW:
At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We're creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We're erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We're advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we're reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.
Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.
What does this role look like?
Lockheed Martin is looking for a dedicated Systems Engineer to join the team in Waterton, CO executing the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture T2 Tracking program.
As the SV Responsible Systems Engineer (RSE) within the SEIT team at the Waterton, CO campus, you will oversee satellite bus and payload integration, development, and delivery for the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. This role requires technical leadership in satellite systems design, qualification, and deployment to enable advanced missile tracking capabilities using infrared sensors on a constellation of 18 space vehicles operating in Low Earth Orbit. The lead will coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, ensure interoperability across the PWSA layers, and support satellite production timelines to meet launch and operational milestones.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Minimum 8 years systems engineering experience within either space vehicle, bus, or payload programs; specifically design, integration, test, verification, validation, requirements, etc.
Knowledge or experience with infrared sensor payload operations and integration on space-borne platforms
Experience with space vehicle subsystems including power, thermal, communications, attitude control, AND/OR propulsion
Knowledge or experience with Technical Readiness Level progression, design maturity, risk management, and major milestone review criteria
Demonstrated ability to interface with government customers, prime contractors, and multi-organization technical teams
Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and manage complex project schedules
Prior experience in the build and test phase of a satellite program, including FRBs/MRBs spiral development contracts
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance, thus ship is Required
Desired skills
Deep understanding of Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations or missile warning/tracking satellite systems, and mission data processing chains
Familiarity with interoperability standards across multi-vendor satellite systems
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) with 10 years minimum of professional experience in satellite system architecture
Familiarity with Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and Tranche 1/2 tracking or transport layers
Background in electro-optical payload architecture, focal plane technology, cryocoolers, missile defense systems, hypersonic threat tracking, or related space surveillance
technologies
Experience with production ramp-up, satellite qualification, and launch integration for large-scale constellations
Strong skills in spacecraft system verification, calibration processes, and ground system operations integration
Prior experience working on multi-vendor, spiral development contracts on relatively short timelines
Familiarity with optical communication terminals (OCTs) and maintaining optical inter-satellite links (OISL)
Active TS/SCI security clearance
EEO
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
*
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.
With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.
If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you're invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Other Important Information
By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Work Schedule Information
Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
National Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Premium Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $147,700 - $255,990. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Space is a critical domain, connecting our technologies, our security and our humanity. While others view space as a destination, we see it as a realm of possibilities, where we can do more - we can innovate, invest, inspire and integrate our capabilities to transform the future.
OVERVIEW:
At Lockheed Martin Space, we aim to harness the full potential of space to cultivate innovation, reduce costs, and push the boundaries of what technology can achieve. We're creating future-ready solutions, focusing on resiliency and urgency through our 21st Century Security vision. We're erasing boundaries and forming partnerships across industries and around the world. We're advancing spacecraft and the workforce to fuel the next generation. And we're reimagining how space can connect us, ensuring security and prosperity.
Join us in shaping a new era in space and find a career that's built for you.
What does this role look like?
Lockheed Martin is looking for a dedicated Systems Engineer to join the team in Waterton, CO executing the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture T2 Tracking program.
As the SV Responsible Systems Engineer (RSE) within the SEIT team at the Waterton, CO campus, you will oversee satellite bus and payload integration, development, and delivery for the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. This role requires technical leadership in satellite systems design, qualification, and deployment to enable advanced missile tracking capabilities using infrared sensors on a constellation of 18 space vehicles operating in Low Earth Orbit. The lead will coordinate multi-disciplinary teams, ensure interoperability across the PWSA layers, and support satellite production timelines to meet launch and operational milestones.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
Minimum 8 years systems engineering experience within either space vehicle, bus, or payload programs; specifically design, integration, test, verification, validation, requirements, etc.
Knowledge or experience with infrared sensor payload operations and integration on space-borne platforms
Experience with space vehicle subsystems including power, thermal, communications, attitude control, AND/OR propulsion
Knowledge or experience with Technical Readiness Level progression, design maturity, risk management, and major milestone review criteria
Demonstrated ability to interface with government customers, prime contractors, and multi-organization technical teams
Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams and manage complex project schedules
Prior experience in the build and test phase of a satellite program, including FRBs/MRBs spiral development contracts
Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance, thus ship is Required
Desired skills
Deep understanding of Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations or missile warning/tracking satellite systems, and mission data processing chains
Familiarity with interoperability standards across multi-vendor satellite systems
Advanced degree (MS or PhD) with 10 years minimum of professional experience in satellite system architecture
Familiarity with Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and Tranche 1/2 tracking or transport layers
Background in electro-optical payload architecture, focal plane technology, cryocoolers, missile defense systems, hypersonic threat tracking, or related space surveillance
technologies
Experience with production ramp-up, satellite qualification, and launch integration for large-scale constellations
Strong skills in spacecraft system verification, calibration processes, and ground system operations integration
Prior experience working on multi-vendor, spiral development contracts on relatively short timelines
Familiarity with optical communication terminals (OCTs) and maintaining optical inter-satellite links (OISL)
Active TS/SCI security clearance
EEO
Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration.
*
At Lockheed Martin, we use our passion for purposeful innovation to help keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work.
With our employees as our priority, we provide diverse career opportunities designed to propel, develop, and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work. We place an emphasis on empowering our employees by fostering an inclusive environment built upon integrity and corporate responsibility.
If this sounds like a culture you connect with, you're invited to apply for this role. Or, if you are unsure whether your experience aligns with the requirements of this position, we encourage you to search on Lockheed Martin Jobs, and apply for roles that align with your qualifications.
Other Important Information
By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings.
Work Schedule Information
Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits.
National Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
(Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Premium Pay Statement
Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $147,700 - $255,990. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate's final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays.
This position is incentive plan eligible.
Skills
SAFe
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