Space Vehicle Responsible Systems Engineer (Level 5)

Company: Lockheed Martin
Location: Sunnyvale
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

The coolest jobs on this planet… or any other… are with Lockheed Martin Space. At the dawn of a new space age, Lockheed Martin is a pioneer, partner, innovator and builder. Our amazing men and women are on a mission to make a difference in the world and every single day we use our unique skills, talents and experiences to design and build solutions to some of the world’s hardest engineering problems. Do you want to be part of a culture that inspires employees to envision the impossible, perform with excellence and build incredible products? We provide the resources, inspiration and focus—if you have the passion and courage to dream big, then we want to build a better tomorrow with you! We are looking for a dedicated Space Vehicle Responsible Systems Engineer (SV RSE) to join the NGG/OPIR team in Sunnyvale, California. This role serves as the technical advocate for the satellite throughout its life cycle, from requirements definition through mission operations. The SV RSE verifies that the satellite aligns with both the Command Media and program technical requirements, and resists inappropriate compromise and risk, checks programmatic decisions, and balances technical performance, cost, schedule, and risk, while ensuring mission success. What does this role look like? • Oversee all NGG Space Vehicle (SV) performance and integration activities (including support of all satellite testing) culminating in final certification of the satellite for Launch • Oversee Element Level and below CPEs/RSEs for hardware, software, and databases to assure compliance with the spacecraft level technical baseline • Oversee the development and verification of Space Vehicle requirements • Drive space vehicle certification • Lead Space Vehicle level Material Review Board (MRB) and Failure Review Board (FRB) investigations • Lead failure analysis to provide root cause determination and corrective action • Effectively communicate to program and customer management • Travel occasionally for subcontractor oversight and launch campaigns Basic Qualifications • Bachelors degree in Engineering, physics or related discipline, or equivalent experience • Experience in satellite design, integration, test and/or operations • Subsystem or component experience, working as a CPE (Certified Profressional Engineer), RSE (Responsible Systems Engineer), or equivalent • Leadership experience in driving technical issues/challenges to closure • Active DoD Top Secret clearance, thus US citizenship is required Desired skills • Experience in spacecraft integration with expertise across multiple subsystems, including electrical/mechanical design, payloads, and A2100/LM2100 satellite programs • Strong technical leadership experience with a proven ability to lead teams and resolve complex issues • Deep understanding of systems engineering, mission assurance, and product certification processes for high-reliability space systems • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical concepts, decisions, and risks to both technical and non-technical stakeholders • Proven application of Lockheed Martin and industry engineering processes to deliver high-cost, mission-critical satellite systems • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, balancing cost, schedule, technical performance, and risk Track record of sound judgment and successful program execution • Ability to lead issue resolution, drive closure, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills, with the ability to build consensus across stakeholders • Extensive technical knowledge of assigned products and systems thinking expertise, with the ability to apply and mentor others • Willingness to take full ownership and accountability, including authority to halt production, testing, or launch to ensure mission success • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple responsibilities • Willingness to support 24/7 operational needs as required • OPIR program exposure (6 months), LM Space experience (3 years), similar product experience (2 years), technical experience (4 years), and leadership experience (3 years) • Advanced qualifications preferred: Master’s degree in • Systems Engineering, INCOSE certification, or relevant graduate certificate • Active TS/SCI security clearance required Lockheed Martin is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified candidates will be considered without regard to legally protected characteristics. The application window will close in 90 days; applicants are encouraged to apply within 5 - 30 days of the requisition posting date in order to receive optimal consideration. * Join us at Lockheed Martin, where your mission is ours. Our customers tackle the hardest missions. Those that demand extraordinary amounts of courage, resilience and precision. They’re dangerous. Critical. Sometimes they even provide an opportunity to change the world and save lives. Those are the missions we care about. As a leading technology innovation company, Lockheed Martin’s vast team works with partners around the world to bring proven performance to our customers’ toughest challenges. Lockheed Martin has employees based in many states throughout the U.S., and Internationally, with business locations in many nations and territories. Other Important Information By applying to this job, you are expressing interest in this position and could be considered for other career opportunities where similar skills and requirements have been identified as a match. Should this match be identified you may be contacted for this and future openings. Ability to work remotely Onsite Full-time: The work associated with this position will be performed onsite at a designated Lockheed Martin facility. Work Schedule Information Lockheed Martin supports a variety of alternate work schedules that provide additional flexibility to our employees. Schedules range from standard 40 hours over a five day work week while others may be condensed. These condensed schedules provide employees with additional time away from the office and are in addition to our Paid Time off benefits. Security Clearance Information This position requires a government security clearance, you must be a US Citizen for consideration. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in California, Massachusetts, and New York (excluding most major metropolitan areas), Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC is $128,400 - $226,435. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year. This position is incentive plan eligible. Pay Rate: The annual base salary range for this position in most major metropolitan areas in California, Massachusetts, and New York is $147,700 - $255,990. For states not referenced above, the salary range for this position will reflect the candidate’s final work location. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/ training, key skills as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer. Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. This position is incentive plan eligible.

Keywords: Lockheed Martin, Concord , Space Vehicle Responsible Systems Engineer (Level 5), Engineering , Sunnyvale, California