Chief Engineer – Space

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Virginia.

📋 Description

• Act as a technical expert in the exploration, conceptualization, and evaluation of spacecraft, hosted payloads, and innovative space system solutions.

• Oversee technical proposals and assessments of space system initiatives, payloads, and concepts to fulfill mission performance objectives.

• Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams, including systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, payload engineering, mission assurance, specialty engineering, suppliers, and external mission partners.

• Establish spacecraft and payload architectures, system interfaces, integration strategies, and technical baselines.

• Assist in program review milestones such as SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, launch readiness, and initial on-orbit operations.

• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical, integration, schedule, and mission risks throughout the program lifecycle.

• Work collaboratively with government clients, mission partners, and suppliers to convert mission requirements into actionable technical solutions.

• Partner with engineering and mission operations teams to guarantee successful end-to-end system integration.

• Contribute to strategic growth initiatives by developing technical solutions for hosted payloads, communications, sensing, and emerging space mission opportunities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.

• Advanced degree is preferred.

• Over 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, developing, integrating, or delivering spacecraft, payloads, satellite systems, or other complex aerospace systems.

• Experience in a Chief Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, IPT Lead, Technical Director, or a similar technical leadership position.

• Strong expertise in spacecraft architecture, payload systems, hosted payloads, satellite subsystems, or mission systems engineering.

• Experience in integrating spacecraft subsystems, including communications payloads, RF systems, onboard processors, and other mission-specific payloads.

• Comprehensive knowledge of systems engineering processes, including requirements development, architecture definition, interface management, verification and validation, and technical risk management.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams in a matrixed environment while influencing without direct authority.

• Experience supporting the entire system lifecycle, encompassing concept development, design, integration, environmental testing, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.

• Excellent communication skills with government clients, executive leadership, engineering teams, suppliers, and mission partners.

• Experience in national security, defense, civil government, or commercial space programs.

🏝️ Benefits

• Annual bonus eligibility where applicable.

• Paid vacation, sick, and personal leave.

• Medical insurance.

• Dental insurance.

• Vision insurance.

• Life insurance.

• Disability insurance.

• 401(k) retirement plan.

• Other benefits programs.