Satellite Systems Engineer

FTS International, LLC (FTS) is committed to providing the Federal Government with quality consultants and support. To ensure mission success we focus on putting our customers first while minimizing corporate bureaucracy on our staff. We provide Subject Matter Experts (SME) free of Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) focused on independent analysis and mission support services within the disciplines of Engineering, Counter Terrorism Operations, Management, Information Technology, Signals Analysis.

 

FTS has an opportunity for a Satellite Systems Engineer in Chantilly, VA.

 

Satellite Systems Engineer Engineer is responsible for the design, development, integration, testing, and operation of satellite systems and subsystems. 

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain spacecraft system architectures, requirements, interfaces, and technical specifications
• Translate mission objectives into system-level requirements and performance budgets
• Lead system-level design, trade studies, and technical analyses
• Coordinate interfaces between spacecraft subsystems and external systems
• Support spacecraft integration, verification, validation, and environmental testing
• Develop system-level test plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria
• Analyze test results and resolve system-level anomalies and performance issues
• Conduct risk assessments and contribute to mitigation and contingency planning
• Prepare technical documentation, design reviews, reports, and presentations
• Participate in design reviews such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and ORR
• Work closely with customers, program management, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams
• Support mission operations and investigate spacecraft telemetry and anomalies as required

Required Skills/Qualifications

• TS/SCI with polygraph
• BS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• 9+ years of experience with satellite systems engineering and DoW/IC acquisition procedures
• Understanding of spacecraft subsystems, interfaces, and mission operations
• Experience with requirements management, system architecture, and verification/validation
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary engineering teams

Desired Skills/Qualifications

• MS STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) in engineering discipline
• Experience with satellite development from concept through launch and operations
• Familiarity with MBSE tools and methodologies, such as SysML
• Experience with spacecraft environmental testing and qualification
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics, attitude determination and control, RF communications, avionics, thermal systems, or propulsion
• Experience with tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, STK, Python, DOORS, Jama, or similar engineering platforms
• Experience supporting NASA, DoD, commercial space, or other regulated space programs
• Experience with configuration management, technical reviews, and formal verification processes

 

 

Expected Salary Range: $158,000 - $176,000 per year. Placement within the range is determined by qualifications, job-related criteria, experience, internal equity and market considerations. In addition, FTS International, LLC has benefits offerings in addition to salary to include Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, Life Insurance, Short Term and Long-Term Disability, Retirement and Savings, Learning and Development opportunities, wellness programs as well as other optional benefit elections. 

FTS International, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer - vets/disabled.