Systems Engineering Lead
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About The Position
Intuitive Machines is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Systems Engineering Lead to oversee spacecraft software development, avionics, GNC, and spacecraft payload integration for communications and tracking services in near-space and cislunar missions. As the Systems Engineering Lead for the Lunar Data Network Services division you will play a crucial role in developing and integrating software and avionics solutions to support direct-to-earth and space relay services.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in the design and development of software, avionics, GNC, and precision timing and navigation architectures for spacecraft communications and tracking systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and performance.
- Be involved in the development and implementation of spacecraft software, including embedded systems, communication protocols, spacecraft command and control, orbit determination and position, navigation, and timing (PNT), and data processing algorithms.
- Define and manage software requirements, ensuring traceability and compliance with mission objectives and standards.
- Lead groups of multi-disciplinary engineers to address architectural, requirements, implementation, integration, and operations challenges and provide data-backed recommendations to the broader team and to management.
- Participate in the building of the requirements architecture, synthesis of lower level requirements, and development of verification plans for the overall system.
- Coordinate with cross-functional and multi-disciplinary teams to integrate systems and subsystems seamlessly, ensuring compatibility and interoperability.
- Coordinate integration and testing activities for spacecraft software, collaborating with hardware teams and mission stakeholders to ensure compatibility and functionality.
- Identify and assess technical risks associated with software development and implementation, developing mitigation strategies to ensure mission success.
- Provide technical support and expertise during mission planning, execution, and post-mission analysis, addressing software-related issues and challenges as needed.
- Establish and implement quality assurance processes and procedures to ensure the reliability, security, and performance of spacecraft software and the overall system.
- Prepare technical documentation, reports, and presentations to communicate software design, performance, and status to internal and external stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in spacecraft software development, with a focus on communications and tracking systems for space missions.
- Strong technical background in software architecture, embedded systems, communication protocols, and data processing algorithms.
- Experience with software development methodologies and tools, including Agile and DevOps practices.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to effectively lead and motivate cross-functional software development teams.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact professionally with colleagues, customers, and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of space mission operations and experience working with government agencies such as NASA or the Department of Defense (DoD) preferred.
US EEO Statement
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
