Senior Systems Engineer

Why This Role Matters The Senior Systems Engineer owns how TacSRT works end to end — the requirements, interfaces, and data models that connect tasking to collection to delivered product. You lead systems engineering for the TacSRT capability, work directly with CCMD, Space Component, and commercial provider stakeholders, and make the tradeoffs between sensor choice, timeline, and fidelity defensible. The system has to behave predictably in degraded conditions, not only when every sensor is available. What You Own - Lead systems engineering for the TacSRT collection-to-product capability end to end. - Own requirements, interfaces, and data modeling for that capability with clear traceability to mission need. - Perform and document trade studies — sensor selection, collection approach, commercial versus organic — with defensible rationale. - Define expected behavior in normal, degraded, and edge-case conditions, including denied collection and sensor unavailability. - Take capabilities from concept through requirements, architecture input, implementation support, and verification. - Manage cross-team dependencies and surface schema, interface, or tasking changes before they reach other teams. - Serve as the default point of contact for TacSRT system questions, and mentor Associate and mid-level engineers on requirements quality. What You Bring Required Education & Experience - High School Diploma/GED and 8+ years of relevant experience, OR - Associate degree in a related field and 6+ years of relevant experience, OR - Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Mathematics, or related field and 4+ years of relevant experience, OR - Master’s degree in a related field and 2+ years of relevant experience Must-Have - Hands-on ISR operations experience: collection management, GEOINT analysis, or all-source production in a joint or operational environment. - Demonstrated ownership of requirements and interfaces for a capability, including traceability from requirement through verification. - Experience performing and documenting trade studies where mission impact, timeline, and fidelity had to be weighed against each other. - Working knowledge of commercial imagery across EO, SAR, and RF — revisit, tasking constraints, and behavior when collection degrades. - Applied familiarity with structured analytic standards (ICD 203/206): sourcing, confidence language, and stating known gaps. - Demonstrated ability to brief senior military or civilian stakeholders and manage cross-domain dependencies. Preferred - Active TS/SCI, which removes the adjudication window that otherwise delays mission contribution. - JCO TacSRT 201, EMSO JCO 202, or equivalent Joint Commercial Operations operator training. - GEOINT certification or NGA imagery analyst accreditation, or Space 200/300, Orbital Mechanics, or NSSI coursework. - Working familiarity with the Joint Planning Process and USSPACECOM / U.S. Space Force component relationships. Salary Range (CO) $110,000—$140,000 USD Clearance Requirement: This position may require an active TS/SCI Clearance. Current clearance holders are strongly encouraged to apply. If you don't currently hold one, Bluestaq will sponsor eligible candidates through the clearance process based on program needs. Relocation: Relocation assistance is available for full-time positions. About Bluestaq At Bluestaq, we build secure data platforms that matter for space missions, national defense, healthcare systems, and commercial innovation. Founded in 2018, we've become a leader in enterprise software and secure data management by staying focused on what counts: modern architecture, operational excellence, and mission impact. We're engineers, problem-solvers, and builders who take the mission seriously, but not ourselves. We automate the repeatable, question the status quo, and design systems that are as reliable as they are scalable. Whether we're supporting space, defense systems, or healthcare advancements, we build with the same principles: cloud-native solutions, security by design, and relentless simplicity. What We Offer: For full-time positions - 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision for you and your dependents - Up to 6% match to 401(k) contributions with additional discretionary 4% profit share on day one. Roth options available; no vesting period. - Every role is eligible for an annual performance bonus - $200,000 employer-paid life insurance, plus short- and long-term disability coverage - $5,000 annual professional development budget per employee - 20 days PTO, plus 8 paid holidays - Pet insurance, onsite gym, and flexible schedule Bluestaq is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by state or local law. Bluestaq will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities and employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief unless doing so would result in an undue hardship to Bluestaq or a direct threat. Employees needing such accommodation are instructed to contact Human Resources immediately at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted for 60 days beyond the posting date, or until the position is filled, whichever comes first.