Leads the full lifecycle development of satellite and aerospace software systems, including requirements definition, systems architecture, trade studies, verification, validation, testing, anomaly resolution, integration, deployment, and operations. Supports spacecraft product roadmaps, customization, cost optimization, and heritage-platform reuse. The role also leads multidisciplinary teams and performs specialized systems analyses across safety, reliability, security, certification, and related engineering disciplines.
Do you want to help a small company make a BIG difference in space? Do you take ownership of your job and responsibility for your actions? Then come work for Red Canyon and help us continue our mission of helping humankind reach the stars!
Red Canyon Software is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Principal Software Systems Engineer (Contract) to design and analyze new satellite and aerospace systems. We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering skills and strong experience in aerospace programs to the team.
Position Responsibilities:
The Principal Software Systems Engineer's primary responsibility will be driving the development of customer satellite systems with a focus on flight software delivery. This engineer will be involved in the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition, validation, verification and operations. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.
The Principal Software Systems Engineer will provide autonomous solutions of complex problems, through direct work or delegation, under the leadership of the Systems Engineering Manager. The Principal Systems Engineer will have project and subject matter responsibility and authority.
Systems Engineering 75%
- Perform systems engineering tasks for satellite software systems, including the heritage platform:
- Requirements development – initial definition, decomposition and flow down, management of Software and Avionics Subsystem requirements
- System design and trade studies – high level concept trades to support subsequent detail design
- Verification planning and testing – verification matrices, buy-off / sell-off, test planning, analysis planning, etc.
- Ensure proper Systems Engineering processes are followed including requirements traces / RVTMs
- Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stake holders to ensure that technical requirements are met
- Flight Software anomaly resolution and troubleshooting
- Demonstrated ability to participate in cross-functional planning, coordination, and task execution situations involving the full spectrum of engineering and integration activities
Roadmap Development 15%
- Support spacecraft development product roadmap; includes design adjustments, schedule, and cost targets aligned for future business captures
- Support the definition of spacecraft customization process for customer mission needs
Additional Responsibilities 10%
- Perform all the necessary systems engineering activities to build, to maintain and to evolve the spacecraft products
- Promote and optimize cost savings by reuse of the heritage platform designs and manufacturing infrastructures in the pursuit of various constellation prospects.
Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas
- Preferred: Masters in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas
Experience:
- A minimum of 15 years with a bachelor's degree, or 12 years with a master's degree
- Proven track-record of working with aerospace software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs thru detailed design, development, integration, test, deployment, and operations
- Proven track-record of leading multi-disciplinary teams to solve problems
Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:
- Familiarity with elements of space mission architectures extending beyond the satellite platform – including launch, flight operations, mission CONOPS, user interfaces, etc.
- Experience with systems architecture, requirements definition and decomposition, and requirements verification and validation (e.g. Requirements Verification and Traceability Matrices)
- Experience with Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) tools and methods
- Experience with requirements management tools (DOORS or similar)
- Experience leading and/or performing analyses for affordability, safety, reliability, maintainability, testability, human systems integration, survivability, vulnerability, susceptibility, system security, regulatory, certification, product assurance or other specialties engineering disciplines
- Communicate in a clear and concise manner effectively across multiple levels
- Be team-minded and ready to work in a multi-functional and multi-cultural, fast-moving and complex/technical environment
- Flexible attitude and strong initiative
- Demonstrated ability to deliver results
MUST BE A US CITIZEN
Red Canyon Engineering and Software: “Exploring Other Planets, Improving our Own”
Red Canyon contracts with NASA, NOAA, NREL, JPL, and DOD, in addition to customers such as Lockheed Martin Space, Raytheon, Sierra Space, a.i. solutions, Walt Disney Imagineering, SAIC, Sidus Space, Ball Aerospace, SpaceX, Honeywell, KBRwyle, Peraton, LASP, Maxar, Blue Origin, and Moog. We specialize in building spacecraft, developing renewable energy technologies to help make our planet a better world and cutting edge research and development. Our disciplines include embedded flight software, software testing, GN&C, systems engineering, mechanical design, structural analysis, real time flight and ground software, simulation software, user interface software, and mission management software. We help our contractors with the full life cycle of product development from requirements to test and delivery.
Some of the programs we have previously or currently worked on include: Human Lander System, Artemis I-II, WorldView Legion V, Perseverance Rover, InSight, GeoXO, Tranche-1, LizzieSat, Dream Chaser, Psyche, Mars 98, Odyssey 01, Stardust, Genesis and Deep Impact, Mars Phoenix, Joint Polar Satellite System, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Orion, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, GOES-R, OSIRIS-REx, Maven, JUNO, Grail, and the MarsFlight and LunarSIM Simulation.
Red Canyon’s home office is located in scenic Denver, Colorado, and our regional office, Launch Now, is in historic downtown Titusville, Florida. We are a small company that maintains a flat organization to decrease our overhead and costs to our customers. Our number one focus is to solve some of the most complicated engineering problems humankind is facing.
Does it sound like you want to join our mission?
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