Senior Ground Systems Engineer Contract Type: Contract to Hire Salary: $180K - $220K Location: Hybrid | Up to 10% Travel to Customer Sites Clearance: Active Top Secret Interview Process: One interview with the ITP lead and another grounds systems engineer. Team Overview: Join a highly technical engineering team supporting mission-critical space and ground systems operations. The Senior Ground Systems Engineer will collaborate with systems, software, cybersecurity, network, and mission operations personnel to design, integrate, test, and sustain next-generation ground segment capabilities supporting national security and aerospace missions. Zachary Piper Solutions is currently seeking a Senior Ground Systems Engineer to support a critical aerospace and defense customer. This individual will lead systems engineering efforts across the full lifecycle of ground infrastructure supporting mission operations, command and control systems, satellite communications, and enterprise integration environments. The ideal candidate will possess strong systems engineering expertise, experience with complex ground architectures, and the ability to drive technical solutions from concept through deployment. Responsibilities for the Senior Ground Systems Engineer include: • Lead systems engineering activities throughout the system development lifecycle. • Develop and manage system requirements, interface designs, and technical baselines. • Support architecture development for ground systems, mission systems, and command-and-control environments. • Perform integration, verification, validation, and operational readiness testing. • Develop systems engineering artifacts including CONOPS, ICDs, requirements documentation, and test procedures. • Conduct trade studies, technical assessments, and root cause analysis for complex system issues. • Collaborate with software, network, cybersecurity, and operations teams to ensure mission success. • Support customer reviews, technical briefings, and milestone assessments. • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineering staff. Qualifications for the Senior Ground Systems Engineer include: • Bachelor's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field. • 10+ years of systems engineering experience supporting complex technical or defense programs. • Experience with ground systems, mission systems, satellite operations, or space-based architectures. • Knowledge of requirements management tools such as DOORS or Jama. • Experience with systems integration, testing, verification, and validation activities. • Familiarity with Linux and Windows operating environments. • Understanding of network architecture, cybersecurity principles, and distributed systems. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage technical and executive stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications include: • Active Top Secret clearance. • Experience supporting DoD, Intelligence Community, Space Force, NASA, or commercial space customers. • Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) experience. • Experience with Cameo, MagicDraw, or similar architecture modeling tools. • Familiarity with Agile and DevSecOps methodologies. • INCOSE CSEP/ESEP certification. • Security+, CISSP, or related technical certifications. Compensation for the Senior Ground Systems Engineer includes: • Compensation: $180,000 - $220,000 • PTO and Federal Holidays Keywords: Senior Ground Systems Engineer, Systems Engineer, Ground Segment, Satellite Operations, Space Systems, Mission Systems, Command and Control, MBSE, Cameo, MagicDraw, DOORS, Requirements Management, Systems Integration, Verification & Validation, Aerospace, Defense, National Security, TS/SCI, Space Force, DoD. El Segundo, California. #LI-JL1