Senior Systems Engineer & Sensors SME

General Overview

APEX TK is seeking an exceptionally talented and mission-driven Senior Systems Engineer & Program Manager to join our team in direct support of NASA's Technology Maturation effort for a cutting-edge space-based program. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of space systems from the ground up — advancing technologies from early concept through flight demonstration. In this senior role, you will serve as a technical subject matter expert (SME) and programmatic leader, guiding a multidisciplinary team across all phases of space system design, development, and maturation while interfacing directly with NASA at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

What You'll Be Doing:

• Lead and manage the full technology maturation lifecycle for assigned space systems, driving TRL advancement from early-stage concept through flight demonstration milestones.

• Review key program documentation including Systems Engineering Management Plans (SEMPs), Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Test & Evaluation Master Plans (TEMPs), and technology assessment reports.

• Support and lead flight testing and technology demonstration activities, including test readiness reviews, real-time test support, and post-test data analysis and reporting.

• Coordinate cross-functional engineering teams and subcontractors to ensure integrated system designs meet performance, schedule, and cost objectives.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate technical and programmatic risks, maintaining robust risk registers and executing effective mitigation plans in coordination with NASA counterparts.

• Provide hands-on systems engineering expertise across key technology domains including sensors, propulsion, Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC), communications, and embedded software development.

• Serve as the primary technical interface to NASA/MSFC for all engineering and programmatic activities, providing regular status, risk assessments, and technical recommendations to senior leadership.

• Develop and oversee system test plans and test execution strategies for ground and flight test campaigns, ensuring traceability to system requirements and TRL advancement criteria.

• Plan, coordinate, and lead formal design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and technology assessment milestone reviews in accordance with NASA standards and program requirements.

• Develop, maintain, and execute comprehensive technology roadmaps aligned with NASA program objectives, milestones, and technical performance measures.

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline with 15+ years of progressive experience in space systems development and program management.
• Demonstrated, hands-on experience leading systems engineering and technology maturation activities for space-based programs from early TRL through flight demonstration.
• Deep technical expertise across multiple space system domains including sensors/payloads, propulsion systems, GNC, RF/communications, and software-intensive systems.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in the design, development, and integration of sensing modalities, including Electro-Optic (EO)/Infrared (IR) (e.g., Short-Wave, Mid-Wave, Long-Wave IR), LiDAR/LADAR, Multi-spectral, and RF systems.
• Experience with sensor fusion algorithms targeted for space-based Find-Fix-Track-Target-Engage-Assess (F2T2EA) functions.
• Proven experience planning and leading design reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR) and milestone reviews (KDP, technology readiness assessments).
• Strong background in developing and executing system-level test plans, including ground test campaigns, integration & test (I&T), and flight test support.
• Active Secret clearance required; Top Secret/SCI strongly preferred.
• Ability to work primarily onsite at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, AL, with hybrid flexibility on a case-by-case basis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to leadership, review boards, and cross-functional teams.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience developing and managing technology roadmaps for space-based programs.
• Background in model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methodologies and tools (e.g., Cameo, Rhapsody, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with project management processes including Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development and milestone-driven program management.
• Experience supporting or leading flight test campaigns and technology demonstration programs, including test readiness reviews.
• Technical familiarity with space-qualified hardware development, environmental test requirements (vibration, thermal vacuum, EMI/EMC), and qualification/acceptance test flows.
• Top Secret/SCI clearance.