AdAstra Talent Advisors
Director Of Space Systems
AdAstra Talent Advisors, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90079
Overview
Join a fast-growing aerospace organization pushing the boundaries of what’s possible from orbit. Our client is developing the next generation of commercial space systems—technology that powers mission‑critical geospatial and environmental intelligence.
About the Role The Director of Space Systems will own the end‑to‑end adaptation of a flight‑proven sensing payload, leading the effort through integration, environmental testing, launch preparation, and on‑orbit operations. This role requires both deep technical expertise and hands‑on execution, transforming a tightly integrated payload into a modular, host‑agnostic system.
Responsibilities
Lead the design, build, environmental test, integration, and launch readiness of advanced spacecraft and sensing payload systems, ensuring mission success end‑to‑end.
Manage multidisciplinary teams across hardware, software, RF, avionics, mechanical, and AI/ML domains.
Define and drive the roadmap for modular payload productization, including host‑agnostic architectures and Payload‑as‑a‑Service capabilities.
Oversee system architecture, interface definition, mission formulation, performance trades, and payload integration with partner spacecraft (microsats, ESPA‑class, and other host buses).
Guide the decoupling of tightly integrated flight software, power, thermal, mechanical, and RF interfaces to enable scalable productization.
Own the on‑orbit commissioning process, validating payload performance and ensuring mission readiness for 2027 and beyond.
Drive reliability, manufacturability, and repeatability across the payload hardware lifecycle to support commercial‑scale deployment, aligning engineering execution with organizational strategy, customer mission needs, and timelines tied to active launch opportunities.
Build and sustain a culture of accountability, innovation, rapid iteration, and technical excellence.
Requirements
10+ years of experience developing spacecraft or satellite systems, including work on advanced spaceborne subsystems or payloads, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
Proven expertise in RF systems, payloads, radar, or related mission technologies.
Strong foundation in systems engineering, interface definition, and complex multi‑disciplinary technical program management.
Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional teams through design, build, test, and flight operations.
Eligibility to obtain a security clearance.
Preferred Experience
Experience developing RF payloads, SAR systems, or electronically steered phased array architectures.
Experience modularizing or productizing flight hardware previously built as an integrated system.
Track record of turning complex spacecraft technologies into commercial or dual‑use products.
Experience working in startup or high‑growth aerospace environments with rapid decision and development cycles.
Familiarity with AI/ML applications in onboard autonomy, advanced imaging, or high‑rate data processing.
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering, Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related discipline.
Knowledge of export control, licensing, and international collaboration frameworks relevant to space and sensing systems.
Experience leading environmental and qualification test campaigns (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC).
Background integrating payloads with external spacecraft providers (e.g., commercial bus partners, defense primes, or new‑space manufacturers).
Logistical Requirements
This position is based in Irvine, CA. This is not a remote or hybrid position.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Compensation Cash compensation of $175,000 - $225,000 / year. Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity.
Equal Opportunity Our client is an equal opportunity employer. They evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About AdAstra AdAstra Talent Advisors is a headhunting and talent advising firm focused on the Climate, Space, and Defense sectors of Hard Tech. We specialize in pairing highly technical and executive talent with some of the world’s leading Hard Tech startups. At AdAstra, we catalyze the innovations that future generations depend on by placing the right people in the right seats. Our dedicated work enables inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars. And it’s all because of trailblazing talent like you – those driven to do what’s never been done before.
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About the Role The Director of Space Systems will own the end‑to‑end adaptation of a flight‑proven sensing payload, leading the effort through integration, environmental testing, launch preparation, and on‑orbit operations. This role requires both deep technical expertise and hands‑on execution, transforming a tightly integrated payload into a modular, host‑agnostic system.
Responsibilities
Lead the design, build, environmental test, integration, and launch readiness of advanced spacecraft and sensing payload systems, ensuring mission success end‑to‑end.
Manage multidisciplinary teams across hardware, software, RF, avionics, mechanical, and AI/ML domains.
Define and drive the roadmap for modular payload productization, including host‑agnostic architectures and Payload‑as‑a‑Service capabilities.
Oversee system architecture, interface definition, mission formulation, performance trades, and payload integration with partner spacecraft (microsats, ESPA‑class, and other host buses).
Guide the decoupling of tightly integrated flight software, power, thermal, mechanical, and RF interfaces to enable scalable productization.
Own the on‑orbit commissioning process, validating payload performance and ensuring mission readiness for 2027 and beyond.
Drive reliability, manufacturability, and repeatability across the payload hardware lifecycle to support commercial‑scale deployment, aligning engineering execution with organizational strategy, customer mission needs, and timelines tied to active launch opportunities.
Build and sustain a culture of accountability, innovation, rapid iteration, and technical excellence.
Requirements
10+ years of experience developing spacecraft or satellite systems, including work on advanced spaceborne subsystems or payloads, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
Proven expertise in RF systems, payloads, radar, or related mission technologies.
Strong foundation in systems engineering, interface definition, and complex multi‑disciplinary technical program management.
Demonstrated success leading cross‑functional teams through design, build, test, and flight operations.
Eligibility to obtain a security clearance.
Preferred Experience
Experience developing RF payloads, SAR systems, or electronically steered phased array architectures.
Experience modularizing or productizing flight hardware previously built as an integrated system.
Track record of turning complex spacecraft technologies into commercial or dual‑use products.
Experience working in startup or high‑growth aerospace environments with rapid decision and development cycles.
Familiarity with AI/ML applications in onboard autonomy, advanced imaging, or high‑rate data processing.
Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering, Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related discipline.
Knowledge of export control, licensing, and international collaboration frameworks relevant to space and sensing systems.
Experience leading environmental and qualification test campaigns (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC).
Background integrating payloads with external spacecraft providers (e.g., commercial bus partners, defense primes, or new‑space manufacturers).
Logistical Requirements
This position is based in Irvine, CA. This is not a remote or hybrid position.
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Compensation Cash compensation of $175,000 - $225,000 / year. Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on job‑related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity.
Equal Opportunity Our client is an equal opportunity employer. They evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
About AdAstra AdAstra Talent Advisors is a headhunting and talent advising firm focused on the Climate, Space, and Defense sectors of Hard Tech. We specialize in pairing highly technical and executive talent with some of the world’s leading Hard Tech startups. At AdAstra, we catalyze the innovations that future generations depend on by placing the right people in the right seats. Our dedicated work enables inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars. And it’s all because of trailblazing talent like you – those driven to do what’s never been done before.
#J-18808-Ljbffr