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Leads mission systems engineering for first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. Develops physics-based simulations, mission flight plans, operational planning tools, and concept-of-operations solutions. Supports technology integration, system trade studies, performance verification, and customer presentations. Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and subject matter experts across space and ground domains while providing technical leadership in an accelerated development environment.
Job Description
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Mission Systems Engineer to join our Experimental Systems Group (ESG) located in Seal Beach, CA; with options to work from El Segundo, CA Aurora, CO or Herndon, VA to support development of new first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. ESG supports a variety of government customers spanning technology domains, and is an extremely fast-paced, responsive development environment delivering new capabilities to customers rapidly and affordably. The ESG portfolio consists of a range of platforms and technologies including the X-37B, the world's first fully autonomous reusable spaceplane, which is continuing to shape the future of space technology while flying its eighth mission.
As a mission systems engineer, you will be expected to lead modelling and simulation efforts and enable your assigned programs' development from early capabilities studies through demonstration. You will serve as a core point of contact for customers and will work directly with subject matter experts across the business to quickly iterate and converge on achievable solutions that meet our customers' needs. Our development timelines are aggressive and you will be asked to develop solutions to previously unsolved problems.
In this role, you will work in multidisciplinary teams to bring concept of operations to fruition in support of our customers' mission objectives. You will work both as an individual contributor and as a team lead. An ideal candidate has a strong technical background across all spacecraft subsystems with depth in Attitude Control Systems (ACS)/Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC), spacecraft operations, or mission modeling as well as a strong system background spanning both space and ground domains. You will need to be able to dive into broad, minimally defined design spaces and effectively lead integrated efforts.
Position Responsibilities:
This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Lead (Level 4) Summary Pay Range: $153,000 - $ 207,000
Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 19, 2026
Export Control Requirements:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Export Control Details:
US based job, US Person required
Education
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required
Relocation
Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.
Security Clearance
This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
Visa Sponsorship
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Shift
This position is for 1st shift
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
Boeing Defense Space & Security (BDS) has an exciting opportunity for a Lead Mission Systems Engineer to join our Experimental Systems Group (ESG) located in Seal Beach, CA; with options to work from El Segundo, CA Aurora, CO or Herndon, VA to support development of new first-of-kind space vehicles and missions. ESG supports a variety of government customers spanning technology domains, and is an extremely fast-paced, responsive development environment delivering new capabilities to customers rapidly and affordably. The ESG portfolio consists of a range of platforms and technologies including the X-37B, the world's first fully autonomous reusable spaceplane, which is continuing to shape the future of space technology while flying its eighth mission.
As a mission systems engineer, you will be expected to lead modelling and simulation efforts and enable your assigned programs' development from early capabilities studies through demonstration. You will serve as a core point of contact for customers and will work directly with subject matter experts across the business to quickly iterate and converge on achievable solutions that meet our customers' needs. Our development timelines are aggressive and you will be asked to develop solutions to previously unsolved problems.
In this role, you will work in multidisciplinary teams to bring concept of operations to fruition in support of our customers' mission objectives. You will work both as an individual contributor and as a team lead. An ideal candidate has a strong technical background across all spacecraft subsystems with depth in Attitude Control Systems (ACS)/Guidance Navigation & Control (GNC), spacecraft operations, or mission modeling as well as a strong system background spanning both space and ground domains. You will need to be able to dive into broad, minimally defined design spaces and effectively lead integrated efforts.
Position Responsibilities:
- Support technology integration for and development of first-of-kind space vehicles and missions
- Develop and present review packages to internal and external senior leadership
- Work proactively and independently in a fast-paced, demanding atmosphere
- Develop physics-based mission simulations to inform system trade studies and verify system performance
- Develop mission flight plans/concepts exploring new and novel astrodynamics approaches
- Develop and maintain operational mission planning tools
This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.
Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent qualifications directly related to the work statement
- Active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months
- Proficiency with MATLAB, Python, or comparable software language
- 7 years of systems engineering experience
- 2 years of experience in a technical leadership position (Engineering Team Lead, IPT, Technical Project Manager, etc)
Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
- Proficiency in Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)
- Proficiency developing control algorithms, models, and simulations
- Proficiency in space environments, mission design, or astrodynamics
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
- Experience in spacecraft, launch vehicles, or highly autonomous unmanned system
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Lead (Level 4) Summary Pay Range: $153,000 - $ 207,000
Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 19, 2026
Export Control Requirements:
This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a "U.S. Person" as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. "U.S. Person" includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.
Export Control Details:
US based job, US Person required
Education
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required
Relocation
Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.
Security Clearance
This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
Visa Sponsorship
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Shift
This position is for 1st shift
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
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