DisruptXtalent
Lead Spacecraft Design Engineer
A rapidly expanding space exploration company is seeking a
Lead Spacecraft Design Engineer
to provide technical design leadership and manage our growing mechanical design organization.
This pivotal role defines the architecture of flight‑proven structural systems, drives best‑in‑class design processes, and ensures mission success from initial concept through orbital deployment. The ideal candidate blends deep technical expertise in vehicle structures with strong organizational leadership, thriving in a high‑pace environment with ambitious technical objectives. You will guide vehicle and subsystem mechanical design, mentor a talented team, and champion technical integration across analysis, manufacturing, and systems engineering. This role reports to the VP of Engineering as the mechanical design authority within the Product Realization division.
Familiarity with Siemens NX / Teamcenter experience required.
Base pay range $190,000.00/yr - $220,000.00/yr
Strategic Direction & Leadership
Provide
strategic direction
for flight vehicle and mechanical design across all active programs.
Lead and scale
the Design Engineering team, including structural, mechanical, and CAD specialists.
Define organizational priorities, team development, and engineering design standards aligned with program milestones and corporate objectives.
Serve as the
primary design authority
for flight vehicle mechanical systems and critical interfaces.
Space Vehicle Mechanical Design
Own the
mechanical and structural architecture
and load path philosophy for both primary bus and secondary payload structures.
Drive mechanical design from concept definition through flight qualification, expertly balancing performance, mass budgets, and manufacturability.
Oversee the design and integration of critical mechanisms, payload accommodation systems, stage separation systems, and vehicle bus structural elements.
Collaborate closely with the Build‑Integration‑Test organization and Mission Architecture teams to validate designs that robustly satisfy mission requirements, backed by rigorous modeling and simulation.
Design Process & Governance
Establish and maintain design standards, configuration management, and
CAD/PLM workflows
(familiarity with Siemens NX / Teamcenter experience required).
Drive formal design reviews, technical documentation standards, and product data traceability throughout the hardware lifecycle.
Implement world‑class practices in tolerance analysis, GD&T ( ASME Y14.5 ), and design‑for‑manufacture (DFM).
Ensure structural design compliance with stringent environmental qualification and acceptance testing requirements for flight hardware.
Cross‑Functional Integration
Collaborate effectively with all engineering disciplines to ensure overall system readiness and efficient build flow.
Develop cross‑functional interface processes connecting mechanical design with propulsion, avionics, and electrical integration teams.
Serve as the technical interface with external suppliers and manufacturing partners for the fabrication of complex structural components.
Recruit, mentor, and foster the professional development of a high‑performing mechanical and structural engineering staff.
Cultivate a culture defined by
technical rigor, rapid design iteration, and accountability .
Provide direct mentorship to design engineers and technicians on advanced spacecraft development and testing practices.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
8+ years
of professional experience in flight vehicle structural and mechanical design.
Proven track record of owning
primary and secondary structural designs
for complex flight systems from initial concept through successful deployment.
Expert‑level understanding of spacecraft load paths, structural margins philosophy, and advanced material selection for mass optimization.
Expert‑level proficiency with industry‑leading CAD systems and large assembly management ( Siemens NX / Teamcenter required ).
Deep technical knowledge of drafting standards, GD&T ( ASME Y14.5 ), and detailed tolerance stack‑up analysis.
Hands‑on experience supporting the fabrication, precision assembly, and environmental testing of flight‑qualified hardware.
Familiarity with full system‑level integration between structural, propulsion, and electrical/avionics subsystems.
An effective technical communicator capable of leading major design reviews, presenting complex trade studies, and collaborating across diverse technical disciplines.
Preferred Skills & Experience
Experience leading design efforts for flight vehicles in the
medium‑to‑heavy class
satellites or equivalent complex programs.
Strong understanding of advanced manufacturing processes, including composite structures, precision bonding, and additive manufacturing.
Significant background in implementing Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and correlating structural models to physical test data.
Extensive familiarity with environmental testing and qualification standards applicable to space flight hardware.
Demonstrated ability to successfully establish and scale engineering design processes and tools within a startup or high‑growth company environment.
Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex design trade studies and technical decisions to executive leadership, external partners, and customers.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing and Space Research and Technology
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Lead Spacecraft Design Engineer
to provide technical design leadership and manage our growing mechanical design organization.
This pivotal role defines the architecture of flight‑proven structural systems, drives best‑in‑class design processes, and ensures mission success from initial concept through orbital deployment. The ideal candidate blends deep technical expertise in vehicle structures with strong organizational leadership, thriving in a high‑pace environment with ambitious technical objectives. You will guide vehicle and subsystem mechanical design, mentor a talented team, and champion technical integration across analysis, manufacturing, and systems engineering. This role reports to the VP of Engineering as the mechanical design authority within the Product Realization division.
Familiarity with Siemens NX / Teamcenter experience required.
Base pay range $190,000.00/yr - $220,000.00/yr
Strategic Direction & Leadership
Provide
strategic direction
for flight vehicle and mechanical design across all active programs.
Lead and scale
the Design Engineering team, including structural, mechanical, and CAD specialists.
Define organizational priorities, team development, and engineering design standards aligned with program milestones and corporate objectives.
Serve as the
primary design authority
for flight vehicle mechanical systems and critical interfaces.
Space Vehicle Mechanical Design
Own the
mechanical and structural architecture
and load path philosophy for both primary bus and secondary payload structures.
Drive mechanical design from concept definition through flight qualification, expertly balancing performance, mass budgets, and manufacturability.
Oversee the design and integration of critical mechanisms, payload accommodation systems, stage separation systems, and vehicle bus structural elements.
Collaborate closely with the Build‑Integration‑Test organization and Mission Architecture teams to validate designs that robustly satisfy mission requirements, backed by rigorous modeling and simulation.
Design Process & Governance
Establish and maintain design standards, configuration management, and
CAD/PLM workflows
(familiarity with Siemens NX / Teamcenter experience required).
Drive formal design reviews, technical documentation standards, and product data traceability throughout the hardware lifecycle.
Implement world‑class practices in tolerance analysis, GD&T ( ASME Y14.5 ), and design‑for‑manufacture (DFM).
Ensure structural design compliance with stringent environmental qualification and acceptance testing requirements for flight hardware.
Cross‑Functional Integration
Collaborate effectively with all engineering disciplines to ensure overall system readiness and efficient build flow.
Develop cross‑functional interface processes connecting mechanical design with propulsion, avionics, and electrical integration teams.
Serve as the technical interface with external suppliers and manufacturing partners for the fabrication of complex structural components.
Recruit, mentor, and foster the professional development of a high‑performing mechanical and structural engineering staff.
Cultivate a culture defined by
technical rigor, rapid design iteration, and accountability .
Provide direct mentorship to design engineers and technicians on advanced spacecraft development and testing practices.
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related technical discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
8+ years
of professional experience in flight vehicle structural and mechanical design.
Proven track record of owning
primary and secondary structural designs
for complex flight systems from initial concept through successful deployment.
Expert‑level understanding of spacecraft load paths, structural margins philosophy, and advanced material selection for mass optimization.
Expert‑level proficiency with industry‑leading CAD systems and large assembly management ( Siemens NX / Teamcenter required ).
Deep technical knowledge of drafting standards, GD&T ( ASME Y14.5 ), and detailed tolerance stack‑up analysis.
Hands‑on experience supporting the fabrication, precision assembly, and environmental testing of flight‑qualified hardware.
Familiarity with full system‑level integration between structural, propulsion, and electrical/avionics subsystems.
An effective technical communicator capable of leading major design reviews, presenting complex trade studies, and collaborating across diverse technical disciplines.
Preferred Skills & Experience
Experience leading design efforts for flight vehicles in the
medium‑to‑heavy class
satellites or equivalent complex programs.
Strong understanding of advanced manufacturing processes, including composite structures, precision bonding, and additive manufacturing.
Significant background in implementing Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and correlating structural models to physical test data.
Extensive familiarity with environmental testing and qualification standards applicable to space flight hardware.
Demonstrated ability to successfully establish and scale engineering design processes and tools within a startup or high‑growth company environment.
Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex design trade studies and technical decisions to executive leadership, external partners, and customers.
Seniority level Mid‑Senior level
Employment type Full‑time
Industries Defense and Space Manufacturing and Space Research and Technology
#J-18808-Ljbffr