[Hiring] Principal Engineer - Functional Validation (Configuration and Framework Architect) @AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.

Role Description

Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Mission Operations Engineer to design, analyze, test, and operate new satellite and space mission systems. This position supports the full mission lifecycle, from operational concept development and system definition through integration, verification, validation, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.

The ideal candidate will bring strong systems thinking, technical problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership to mission operations while contributing to the development of the ground software architecture and test capabilities required to operate and validate Airbus U.S. spacecraft.

We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering, development skills, and strong leadership in aerospace programs to the team.

Position Responsibilities

• Lead the framework integration and sustainment activities, addressing technical debt, implementing capability enhancements, and ensuring continued alignment with FV requirements.
• Manage technical interfaces and integration of new systems, test environments, and validation capabilities to ensure compatibility and operational effectiveness.
• Develop and deliver technical training, mentor engineers, and establish knowledge-transfer practices that strengthen FV proficiency and framework sustainability.
• Provide hands-on technical support during FV testing, troubleshoot framework issues, and apply lessons learned to improve validation capabilities and performance.
• Establish and govern FV version-control standards, including branching strategies, merge and peer-review workflows, versioning, tagging, and configuration management practices to ensure consistency, integrity, and traceability of FV-controlled assets.
• Develop innovative technical solutions to complex engineering challenges involving framework automation, CI/CD capabilities, configuration integrity, and validation traceability.
• Establish and maintain validation configuration architectures that enable controlled, repeatable, and consistent validation across FV activities.
• Investigate complex configuration-related anomalies, identify systemic weaknesses, and develop engineering solutions that improve configuration integrity and validation reliability.

Qualifications

• Required: Bachelor's degree in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), related scientific areas, or equivalent technical training.
• Preferred: Master's or Doctoral in STEM or related scientific areas.

Requirements

• 20+ years with military or other technical training / 15 years of aerospace experience with a Bachelor's degree / 12 years of experience with a Master's degree / 10 years of experience with a Doctoral degree, including 6+ years of experience in software and systems testing.
• Experience with common Systems Engineering test tools (DOORS, Jira).
• Experience with Satellite Command & Control (C2) systems (CCS5).
• Familiar with satellite operation, and any subsystem engineering (Guidance, Navigation, Control, Power system, Data Handling, and Software).
• Familiar with product and quality assurance principles and experienced in generation and disposition of test flags and non-conformance.
• Experience with object-oriented programming (C, C++) and scripting languages (TCL, Python).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering documentation (e.g., electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, CAD models, wire lists).
• Experience with the full Space mission lifecycle, including requirements development, design, manufacturing, test, and mission operations.

Travel Required

• Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies.
• Occasional International Travel to collaborate with European Airbus.

Eligibility

• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain government security clearance.

Physical Requirements

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
• Equipment Operation: able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.