
Principal Engineer Spacecraft System Test Engineer (AI&T) - $15K Sign On Bonus
Boulder, COFull-time$118–201K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Requirements
Credentials this posting asks for.
Job overview
BAE Systems seeks a Principal Engineer to lead or support integration and testing of spacecraft hardware, verify spacecraft performance, and guide test campaigns. The role develops integration and test approaches, plans required ground support equipment and facilities, and contributes to proposals and studies. Work takes place on-site five days per week in labs and cleanrooms. A current, active Top Secret/SCI clearance is required.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Job Description
Minimum $15,000 Sign on Bonus being offered for external hires
BAE Systems Aerospace & Mission Systems (AMS) is is seeking a Principal Engineer to drive the testing and execution of space flight hardware. This role is designed for a technical expert who is equally passionate about hands-on execution and technical leadership. Whether acting as the primary lead for a campaign or as a senior individual contributor supporting critical test paths, you will ensure the successful delivery of high-impact technologies for our customers' most critical missions.
You will operate as a technical pillar within the Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit, utilizing your deep expertise to verify spacecraft performance and mentor others in the art of flight hardware testing.
The Engineering, Science and Analysis (ESA) Strategic Capabilities Unit comprises the technical talent and organizational leadership that enables the successful delivery of high-impact discriminating technologies for our customers missions. Our collaborative, cross-functional teams are committed to innovation, integrity, continual learning and strong execution.
What You ll Do:
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Execution & Leadership: Lead or directly support the integration and testing of spacecraft hardware within cleanrooms and lab environments to verify requirements and calibrate performance.
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Technical Strategy: Define program integration and test approaches and generate comprehensive AI&T flows, ensuring all technical risks are mitigated.
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SME Guidance: Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the team, providing mentorship to engineers and technicians while remaining deeply involved in the technical execution of test campaigns.
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Infrastructure Planning: Identify and specify the necessary GSE, facilities, and equipment required for successful AI&T and launch operations.
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Proposal & Study Support: Contribute technical expertise to proposal responses and study reports, focusing on the AI&T architecture for spacecraft buses and integrated vehicles.
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Process Optimization: Develop and implement creative technical solutions to reduce cost, schedule, and risk while maintaining rigorous quality standards.
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Maintain a regular and predictable work schedule.
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Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
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Perform other duties as necessary.
On-Site Work Environment: This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.
This role is centered in our high-tech labs and cleanrooms. Because we work with physical flight hardware, this position requires regular in-person engagement (5 days per week) at our primary work location.
Working Conditions:
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Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment.
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May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required.
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May access other facilities in various weather conditions.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
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BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 6 or more years related experience.
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Each higher-level related degree, i.e., Master s Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of related experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
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A current, active Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required.
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Technical Expertise:
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Proven experience in spacecraft environmental testing and performing pre- and post-validation of spacecraft systems.
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Proficiency with spacecraft command and control systems, simulators, software test benches, and electrical ground support equipment (EGSE).
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Demonstrated expertise in the full test lifecycle, including defining test strategies, test plans, and detailed test procedures.
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Proficiency in MS Office tools and possess strong general computer skills.
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Excellent presentation and communication skills are essential for coordinating across cross-functional teams.
#LI-MA2
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
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Modern Software Stack: Proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Ruby, JavaScript, or Go
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DevOps & Tools: Experience with GitLab and knowledge of test automation applications and tools.
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Specialized Software: Direct experience with COSMOS Command and Control Software.
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RF Expertise: Experience setting up and configuring RF GSE, including familiarity with measurement tools such as signal generators, spectrum analyzers, and power meters.
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Software Testing: Familiarity with software testing at various levels, including unit, integration, and end-to-end testing.
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Strategic Leadership: Experience in cost and schedule estimation, proposal development, and IRAD activities.
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Industry Background: Prior experience in space or military programs is highly desired.
Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $118095 - $200762
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20 hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
Principal Engineer Spacecraft System Test Engineer (AI&T) - $15K Sign On Bonus
132161BR
EEO Career Site Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities . females . veterans . individuals with disabilities . sexual orientation . gender identity . gender expression
How this job compares
Set against the 2,228 open Principal Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$118–201K/yr
- Colorado median$141–226K/yr74 salary ranges
- US median$143–254K/yr1,933 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $159K, is 9% below the Colorado median midpoint ($175K) — in the lowest quarter of Principal Engineer salary ranges in Colorado.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 77 open Principal Engineer jobs in Colorado and 2,228 across the US. 12% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most in Colorado
- BAE Systems (this employer)13 open
- Oracle13 open
- Invenergy5 open
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 6 years of experience — less than three in four Principal Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 9 years, across 1,804 postings).
- Education
- 979 of the 2,228 open Principal Engineer jobs (44%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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