Ground Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Ground Systems Engineer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace, defense, and space systems across the Los Angeles basin, the San Diego corridor, and the Sacramento region. Major employers with deep, lasting roots in California include Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, all of which maintain large ground systems teams. The most in-demand specialties are satellite command and control, launch infrastructure, and mission operations software integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 24+ Ground Systems Engineer jobs
Job ID: 2618825
Location: Redondo Beach, CA, US
Date Posted: 2026-11-05
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is seeking a Ground Systems Software Integration Engineer with experience as a systems engineer and technical advisor (SETA). If you have a strong background managing acceptance testing and integration efforts of consolidated software and specialized hardware for diverse locations this is the job for you!
This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph and is in El Segundo, CA. In this role you will support a government program office in charge of ground element command and control (C2) activities for a major program acquisition within a space system program office. The ground segment consists of ground command and control (C2) software, customized hardware, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE) and network integration. In this role you will provide System Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) subject matter expertise to ensure the software development program executes on schedule and within cost. Activities include software development reviews, testing oversight, analysis, and requirements verification. The architectures include bare metal and virtual environments. You will provide primary support to the government at a factory location overseeing software development, integration and testing.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Support software procurement from requirements identification and development through system test, sell-off, delivery and installation at multiple sites.
- Support design and development of IT architectures from both a hardware and software perspective in order to provide analysis and recommendations for ground command and control.
- Provide systems engineering support for requirements development, design, test plans, and requirements verifications through acceptance testing from developers.
- Provide formal and informal feedback on program status, recommendations for the best way forward, participation in test procedure reviews, and witnessing.
- Review and assess the adequacy of ground systems specifications, RADs, RVPs, ICDs, RVRs and system level requirements.
- Review, analyze and coordinate any changes to ground system specifications. Participate in defining, managing, testing, verifying and validating collection segment internal and external interfaces.
- Review, document and trace ground systems hardware and software requirements, and coordinate with other stakeholders to resolve issues.
- Review ground system requirements allocations for accuracy and ensure requirement allocation documentation is complete and accurate.
- Coordinate across geographic diverse sites for delivery and acceptance testing.
- Participate in and witness ground systems testing to verify internal and external interfaces; review and correlate post-test data to ensure ground systems requirements are met. Maintain knowledge of current industry command and control system hardware and software design, manufacturing and test specifications and standards and apply that knowledge during reviews of developer documentation and processes.
- Review acquisition milestone ground systems design documentation for adequacy, accuracy and completeness, and identify cost, schedule and technical risks/opportunities, and provide mitigation strategies through formal and informal comments.
- Assess adequacy of developer verification data and provide recommendations to the GPOC for approval or disapproval.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts and functional counterparts.
- Provide coordination with facilities’ teams during site surveys, installation, and for long-term facilities maintenance of IT equipment and specialized hardware.
- Support request for change (RFC) processes.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with Polygraph.
- Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math)
- Prior ground system acquisition experience in a major satellite system.
- Experience managing combined hardware and software integration activities.
- Experience with Systems integration from factory testing to site implementation.
- Experience in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to include agile processes, cloud platforms, and virtualization technologies.
- Ability to organize meetings, project coordination, and writing and reviewing technical reports is expected.
- Ability to travel overseas.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Advanced degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math) or related discipline.
- Prior software development experience.
- Experience in architectural development, installation and monitoring of multi-contractors.
- Prior experience for acquisition activities related to requirements development and assessment, technical evaluations of proposals, and ECP development.
- Experience with hardware development, verification, validation, and O&M for large systems.
- CSEP and or PMP certification.
- Demonstrated knowledge of NSIS and JSIS.
- Experience in NRO, IC, or DoD program management processes.
Job ID: 2618825
Location: Redondo Beach, CA, US
Date Posted: 2026-11-05
Category: Engineering and Sciences
Subcategory: Systems Engineer
Schedule: Full-Time
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes - 10% of the time
Minimum Clearance Required: TS.SCI_wPoly
Clearance Level Must Be Able to Obtain: None
Potential for Remote Work: ORA_ON_SITE
Description
SAIC is seeking a Ground Systems Software Integration Engineer with experience as a systems engineer and technical advisor (SETA). If you have a strong background managing acceptance testing and integration efforts of consolidated software and specialized hardware for diverse locations this is the job for you!
This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance with Counterintelligence (CI) Polygraph and is in El Segundo, CA. In this role you will support a government program office in charge of ground element command and control (C2) activities for a major program acquisition within a space system program office. The ground segment consists of ground command and control (C2) software, customized hardware, Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE) and network integration. In this role you will provide System Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) subject matter expertise to ensure the software development program executes on schedule and within cost. Activities include software development reviews, testing oversight, analysis, and requirements verification. The architectures include bare metal and virtual environments. You will provide primary support to the government at a factory location overseeing software development, integration and testing.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Support software procurement from requirements identification and development through system test, sell-off, delivery and installation at multiple sites.
- Support design and development of IT architectures from both a hardware and software perspective in order to provide analysis and recommendations for ground command and control.
- Provide systems engineering support for requirements development, design, test plans, and requirements verifications through acceptance testing from developers.
- Provide formal and informal feedback on program status, recommendations for the best way forward, participation in test procedure reviews, and witnessing.
- Review and assess the adequacy of ground systems specifications, RADs, RVPs, ICDs, RVRs and system level requirements.
- Review, analyze and coordinate any changes to ground system specifications. Participate in defining, managing, testing, verifying and validating collection segment internal and external interfaces.
- Review, document and trace ground systems hardware and software requirements, and coordinate with other stakeholders to resolve issues.
- Review ground system requirements allocations for accuracy and ensure requirement allocation documentation is complete and accurate.
- Coordinate across geographic diverse sites for delivery and acceptance testing.
- Participate in and witness ground systems testing to verify internal and external interfaces; review and correlate post-test data to ensure ground systems requirements are met. Maintain knowledge of current industry command and control system hardware and software design, manufacturing and test specifications and standards and apply that knowledge during reviews of developer documentation and processes.
- Review acquisition milestone ground systems design documentation for adequacy, accuracy and completeness, and identify cost, schedule and technical risks/opportunities, and provide mitigation strategies through formal and informal comments.
- Assess adequacy of developer verification data and provide recommendations to the GPOC for approval or disapproval.
- Develop and maintain productive relationships with prime contractor counterparts and functional counterparts.
- Provide coordination with facilities’ teams during site surveys, installation, and for long-term facilities maintenance of IT equipment and specialized hardware.
- Support request for change (RFC) processes.
Qualifications
Qualifications:
- Active TS/SCI security clearance with Polygraph.
- Bachelors and nine (9) years or more experience; Masters and seven (7) years or more experience ; PhD or JD and four (4) years or more experience.
- Bachelor’s degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math)
- Prior ground system acquisition experience in a major satellite system.
- Experience managing combined hardware and software integration activities.
- Experience with Systems integration from factory testing to site implementation.
- Experience in Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to include agile processes, cloud platforms, and virtualization technologies.
- Ability to organize meetings, project coordination, and writing and reviewing technical reports is expected.
- Ability to travel overseas.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Advanced degree in STEM (science, technical, engineering, math) or related discipline.
- Prior software development experience.
- Experience in architectural development, installation and monitoring of multi-contractors.
- Prior experience for acquisition activities related to requirements development and assessment, technical evaluations of proposals, and ECP development.
- Experience with hardware development, verification, validation, and O&M for large systems.
- CSEP and or PMP certification.
- Demonstrated knowledge of NSIS and JSIS.
- Experience in NRO, IC, or DoD program management processes.
See All 24 Ground Systems Engineer Jobs in California
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Find Ground Systems Engineer JobsGround Systems Engineer Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Ground Systems Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in ground systems engineer jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering from an accredited program
- Active U.S. security clearance or eligibility to obtain one required by most California defense employers
- Experience with ground support equipment, command and control systems, or mission operations software
- Proficiency in systems engineering lifecycle tools such as DOORS, MATLAB, or STK
- Familiarity with interface control documents, verification and validation planning, and test procedures
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional integration teams
Ground Systems Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ground systems engineer in California?
A bachelor's degree in aerospace, electrical, systems, or computer engineering is the standard starting point for ground systems engineer roles in California. The state does not require a specific license to work as a ground systems engineer, but many California defense and space employers require candidates to hold or qualify for a federal security clearance. A Professional Engineer license issued through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists can strengthen a profile for senior roles.
Which companies hire ground systems engineers in California?
California ground systems engineer roles are posted by Northrop Grumman, The Aerospace Corporation, and SAIC and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense primes, national laboratories, and commercial space companies makes it one of the deepest markets in the country for this role.
Which California cities have the most ground systems engineer jobs?
El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Hawthorne account for the most ground systems engineer openings in California. The Los Angeles area anchors the market through its dense cluster of aerospace and defense contractors, while San Diego draws heavily from Navy and Marine Corps program offices and their supporting industry base, and Sacramento-area openings are driven by intelligence community and Air Force installations in the region.
Are there remote ground systems engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Ground systems engineering is a hands-on discipline that frequently requires physical access to hardware, test facilities, and secure government sites, which limits remote work. About 18% of ground systems engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those that are tend to involve mission planning software, documentation, or systems architecture work rather than lab or range operations.
How can I get hired as a ground systems engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate engineering role or rotational program at a major California defense employer. Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin all run structured new-grad and early-career programs out of their Southern California sites. Adjacent roles such as systems test technician, mission operations analyst, or satellite operations specialist are common lateral moves. Completing an internship at JPL, Aerospace Corporation, or a California Air Force base contractor and building familiarity with STK or MATLAB gives candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to ground systems engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to ground systems engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly.
See All 24 Ground Systems Engineer Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Ground Systems Engineer Jobs