Lead Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Lead Spacecraft Systems Engineer

📍 Boulder, CO | Pleasanton, CA | Burlington, VT

💰 $170,000 – $250,000

We’re partnering with a growing space technology company that is expanding from proven spacecraft subsystem technology into broader spacecraft-level solutions.

They’re looking for a Lead Spacecraft Systems Engineer to become the first hire in a new Spacecraft Systems Engineering function, taking ownership of vehicle-level technical integration and helping establish how systems engineering is done across future spacecraft programs.

This is a high-ownership role for someone who has worked across the full spacecraft lifecycle and wants the opportunity to build a function rather than inherit one.

What you’ll be doing

• Establish the company’s spacecraft systems engineering processes, artifacts and technical review approach.
• Own system-level trades, requirements, verification planning, interface documentation and spacecraft budgets.
• Drive technical integration across power, avionics, ADCS, communications, thermal, structures and propulsion.
• Evaluate and recommend COTS spacecraft components, assessing qualification data, vendor specifications and flight heritage.
• Determine where vendor qualification evidence is sufficient and where independent analysis or additional testing is required.
• Support spacecraft programs from early architecture and requirements through integration, test and delivery.
• Work across engineering, program management, operations, suppliers and customers to ensure designs close successfully at vehicle level.
• Build and mentor a Spacecraft Systems Engineering team as programs and the organization grow.

What we’re looking for

• 8+ years of experience working on spacecraft/space vehicles within systems engineering or a closely related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of experience leading engineers or small technical teams.
• Experience owning a meaningful technical scope on at least one spacecraft program from requirements through integration, test and delivery.
• Strong experience with requirements derivation, verification approaches and traceability.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft integration & test, program phases and technical review cycles.
• Experience integrating COTS or externally supplied components into flight vehicles.
• Working knowledge across the major spacecraft subsystems, including power, avionics, ADCS, communications, thermal, structures and propulsion.
• The technical breadth and confidence to lead cross-disciplinary discussions and challenge subsystem-level assumptions.
• Working knowledge of space environments and radiation effects and their impact on component suitability and spacecraft design.
• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Particularly interesting backgrounds

We’d be especially interested in speaking with engineers who have:

• Previously led a spacecraft systems engineering team.
• Held responsibility for a full spacecraft program from requirements through integration, test and on-orbit operations.
• Developed deep technical expertise within electrical, mechanical or thermal engineering alongside broader spacecraft systems experience.
• Strong knowledge of the commercial spacecraft COTS supplier ecosystem, including qualification and documentation practices.
• Experience with ground station networks, spacecraft operations and CONOPS.

Why consider it?

This isn’t a role where you’ll simply maintain an established systems engineering process.

You’ll have the opportunity to define it.

You’ll become a key technical integration point across spacecraft disciplines, establish the systems engineering framework for new vehicle-level programs and ultimately have the opportunity to build a team around you as the business grows.

If you’ve taken spacecraft from requirements through hardware integration and test and want significantly more ownership over how the next generation of vehicles is engineered, I’d be keen to speak.