Systems Engineer

Job Title: Systems EngineerJob Description

This Systems Engineer role focuses on designing, integrating, and developing space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms. You will lead requirements definition and traceability, oversee system architecture and interfaces, and support verification and validation activities across the full development lifecycle. This position offers the opportunity to work on fast-moving, cutting-edge programs where you can see payloads being built in real time and directly influence mission success as part of a small, highly capable systems engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and develop space-based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms.
• Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for complex space systems.
• Ensure full traceability of requirements throughout the development process and proactively address potential conflicts or issues.
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability across the entire development lifecycle.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including system design descriptions, interface control documents (ICDs), concepts of operations (CONOPs), and test plans.
• Generate clear technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, system interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and system compliance.
• Support the development and testing of space payloads that will be integrated on spacecraft platforms.
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of sophisticated payloads.
• Support hardware and software development teams with system-level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures.
• Analyze test data and recommend design refinements to improve performance, reliability, and compliance.
• Lead hardware and software verification and validation (V&V) activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements.
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance throughout the program.
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project and program discussions.
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads, including assessing and mitigating technical risks.
• Travel or support off-site work as needed to meet program and test objectives.
• Perform other related systems engineering duties as assigned.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or mathematics.
• At least 5 years of professional systems engineering experience.
• At least 2 years of verification and validation experience.
• At least 3 years of integration experience.
• Hands-on experience with verification, validation, and integration activities in complex systems.
• Experience with requirements management tools, with the ability to provide detailed, structured responses and documentation.
• Professional experience working in cross-functional environments with hardware, software, and test teams.
• Background in a highly regulated industry such as aerospace, defense, medical device, automotive, semiconductor, or data center.
• Practical experience in systems engineering within the aerospace and defense domain.
• Experience with testing and EMI/EMC-related activities.
• Familiarity with scripting or analytical tools such as Python and MATLAB.
• Experience using or supporting tools such as JAMA or DOORS for requirements management.
• Strong written communication skills for preparing technical documentation, reports, and presentations.
• Strong verbal communication skills for participating in technical interchange meetings and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to manage technical requirements, system architecture, interfaces, and mission assurance guidelines across the lifecycle.
• Ability to analyze test data and provide clear recommendations for design improvements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Optical systems experience, including cameras, lenses, and related optical components.
• Professional-level experience with Python or MATLAB for analysis, automation, or test support.
• Professional experience using DOORS or JAMA for detailed requirements management and traceability.
• Experience planning tests, including authoring and maintaining test plans and procedures.
• Hands-on testing experience at the system or subsystem level.
• Previous aerospace and defense Background with exposure to space payloads or satellite systems.
• Assembly experience related to payloads, instruments, or complex systems.
• Active security clearance.
• Experience working closely with laboratory environments and test facilities.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in smaller, high-impact engineering teams.

Work Environment

This role is fully onsite and based in a laboratory and office environment where you will work in close proximity to the payloads and hardware you support, allowing you to see systems being built and tested in real time. The standard workweek is five days onsite, with a flexible daily start time between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Specific start and finish hours will be finalized with the hiring team. You will work within a smaller, highly collaborative systems engineering group that supports fast-moving, cutting-edge programs rather than legacy efforts, providing a tangible impact on program outcomes. The environment emphasizes close collaboration with cross-functional hardware, software, and test teams, frequent technical interchange meetings, and the use of modern tools such as requirements management platforms, analytical software like Python and MATLAB, and test equipment for verification, validation, and integration activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tucson, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $155000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Tucson,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.