Senior Systems Engineer

Senior Systems Engineer

• Location: Gravitics – Seattle WA, Colorado, (with future travel/support to other company locations as required)
• Department: Engineering
• Reports To: Head of Engineering

About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not exploring space - we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture large-scale orbital structures that enable commercial operations while meeting the requirements of defense and government missions.

Our systems are built to scale and built to last—bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical performance. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future together.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly capable Systems Engineer to support technical execution of the commercial spacecraft program from architecture development through qualification, integration, test, launch, and mission operations. This role sits at the center of the program and works directly with Chief Engineers, subsystem leads, Program Management, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, Mission Assurance, and suppliers to ensure the spacecraft functions as an integrated system — not just a collection of subsystems. The ideal candidate is technically broad, execution-focused, comfortable in ambiguity, and able to balance engineering rigor with program realities including schedule, manufacturability, integration flow, and risk. This position will support development of human-rated spacecraft systems and therefore requires strong systems thinking, configuration discipline, verification planning, and cross-functional leadership.

Responsibilities

Support development and management of spacecraft system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and verification approaches for the program

Translate mission and program objectives into clear subsystem and vehicle-level technical requirements

Develop and maintain system specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), CONOPS, verification matrices, and technical baselines

Drive technical integration across:

Structures and mechanisms

Pressure systems

Propulsion systems

Avionics and software

Thermal systems

ECLSS / crew environment considerations

Docking and payload interfaces

Ground systems and GSE

Support program technical reviews including:

SRR

PDR

CDR

TRR

FRR

Coordinate system-level trades balancing:

Performance

Mass

Safety

Reliability

Manufacturability

Testability

Schedule and cost impacts

Work closely with Manufacturing and Integration & Test teams to ensure designs are producible, inspectable, and verifiable

Support development of system verification and validation plans including qualification, acceptance, protoflight, and integrated vehicle testing

Participate in anomaly resolution, failure investigations, and risk reduction activities

Support hazard analysis, FMEA/FDIR activities, and human-rating related assessments

Ensure configuration control and technical baseline integrity throughout the program lifecycle

Interface with customers, suppliers, and partner organizations as required

Help drive closure of technical issues rather than simply tracking them

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline

5+ years of experience in aerospace systems engineering or integrated vehicle development

Experience working on spacecraft, launch vehicle, aviation, defense, or other complex multidisciplinary systems

Strong understanding of systems engineering processes including:

Requirements development

Interface management

Verification and validation

Configuration management

Technical risk management

Experience supporting technical reviews and hardware development programs

Ability to operate across multiple engineering disciplines and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders

Comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment with evolving priorities

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with human-rated spacecraft or crewed systems

Experience supporting pressure vessels, propulsion systems, docking systems, or orbital vehicle integration

Familiarity with NASA standards and spaceflight development processes

Experience with MBSE tools, requirements management tools, or digital engineering environments

Hands-on integration, test, manufacturing, or operations experience

Experience supporting qualification and environmental test campaigns

Familiarity with spaceflight safety and mission assurance processes

What Success Looks Like

Technical issues are identified early and driven to closure

Vehicle interfaces are clearly defined and controlled

Subsystems integrate cleanly into a functioning spacecraft

Verification activities are planned before hardware arrives at test

Engineering decisions consider program execution realities, not just ideal technical solutions

The program moves forward with increasing technical maturity and reduced integration risk

Compensation and Benefits

Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee discounts, and more.

About Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Salary Range

$140,000 — $170,000 USD