Senior Mission Systems Engineer
Content + Source + Freshness • 11 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
High value due to the advanced technical responsibilities, competitive salary for specialized skills, and opportunity in an emerging field.
- Involvement in cutting-edge aerospace projects
- High potential for professional advancement
- Requires specialized engineering skills
Pros
- Engagement in innovative space technology
- Strong potential for career development in aerospace
- Challenging role with both design and operational aspects
Cons
- Highly specialized skills may lead to limited applicant pool
- Potential for long hours during project deadlines
- Requires security clearance which may restrict some candidates
Who it's for
Senior • Hybrid with travel requirements
Good fit
- Experienced aerospace engineers
- Professionals with optical system background
- Individuals looking to innovate in space technology
Not recommended for
- New graduates without engineering experience
- Candidates wanting a less technical role
- Individuals not able to meet security clearance requirements
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
Mission Systems Engineer
Scout is building a new way to see and operate in space: with a new paradigm of data empowering every satellite to make space safer. We are a rapidly-growing team; we are deploying real solutions to orbit; and our work will transform the face of spaceflight. We are looking for people that bring excitement and energy to our organization, are curious and eager to learn, and want to help drive our programs forward.
As a Mission Systems Engineer, you will play a crucial role in the CONOPs definition, design, development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, test, and operations of our advanced electro-optical payloads for space missions. Your expertise will be essential in ensuring the successful integration and performance of system-level components within our space payloads. This position may be dependent on a contract award.
Responsibilities:
- Work with customers and bus manufacturers to define CONOPs and mission requirements for spaceborne optical payloads
- Support optical payload design concepts from whiteboard to launch, including development, manufacturing, assembly, integration, test, and operations
- Lead and design environmental test campaigns
- Manage subcontractors and suppliers for optical payload systems
- Perform hands-on lab assembly and testing
Required Qualifications:
- Must be eligible to hold a clearance.
- Deep expertise in one or more of the following: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or embedded systems
- Experience with optical systems
- Experience with space systems
- Experience working with customers and partners for mission definition
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts and technical information clearly and concisely.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Strong background in developing optical space systems
- Proven track record of mission design
- Understanding of optical, mechanical, and electrical design requirements for a variety of orbits
Don't fulfill all the qualifications listed above? If you still feel like you might be a good fit, please feel free to APPLY ANYWAY. We believe in a well-rounded team, and this sometimes means that someone with out-of-context knowledge can contribute just as well as someone with very explicit alignment with our capabilities needs stated.
Our positions are based in the Reston, Virginia area, with much of our team operating in a hybrid or remote fashion. Our preference is for candidates in or around this area (or willing to relocate) as we scale our facilities and engineering team and provide more opportunities to work and collaborate in-person. Remote employees will be required to travel for onsite work and in-person meetings.
Scout Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. To conform to US Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a US citizen, lawful permanent resident of the US, a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorization from the US Department of State.
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