Outpost Space
Deputy Engineering LeadLos Angeles
Outpost Space, Los Angeles, California, United States, 90001
Deputy Engineering Lead
Deputy Engineering Lead Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and preciselyenabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with. About the Role:
As the Deputy Engineering Lead you will serve as a strategic support arm to the VP of Engineering by managing critical external technical engagements, maintaining program-level schedules, ensuring subcontractor alignment, and enabling seamless execution across engineering programs. Qualifications:
58 years of experience in engineering program management, technical subcontract management, or a related role in aerospace or defense. Proven ability to manage technical subcontracts or external vendor relationships, including tracking scope, deliverables, and technical alignment. Strong understanding of engineering development lifecycles and ability to work cross-functionally with systems, mechanical, avionics, and software teams. Experience maintaining or contributing to an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Excellent organizational and communication skills, with a proactive, detail-oriented approach to following up and driving accountability. Comfortable acting as a trusted partner to senior technical leaders, taking ownership of high-leverage, cross-functional tasks with minimal direction. Responsibilities:
Technical Oversight & Subcontractor Management Act as the primary point of contact for key technical subcontractors or external vendors, representing Outpost's technical and programmatic interests. Ensure technical questions and decisions are routed to the appropriate internal subject matter experts for resolution. Monitor technical execution and validate that subcontractors are aligned with scope, milestones, and expectations. Serve as a technical subcontract lead, helping translate internal direction into clear external deliverables. Act as engineering oversight to subcontractors
providing accountability, clarity, and coordination. Program & Schedule Support Support the maintenance and execution of schedules and deliverables for government-funded programs. Help manage the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) by tracking task progress and following up with internal stakeholders to ensure milestones stay on track. Assist with program planning, deliverable tracking, and compliance reporting related to government contract execution. Provide ad hoc program management support as needed to keep programs moving. Ongoing Engineering Support & Coordination Help track engineering tasks, deliverables, and communications across multiple initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional updates and help maintain alignment between engineering and program goals. Identify inefficiencies or gaps in visibility and propose lightweight systems or tools for improvement. Compensation & Benefits:
$140k - $200k, Salary is based on experience. Incentive Equity Annual Performance-Based Bonus Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance Life Insurance PTO 401k with Company match Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R.
120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State
Deputy Engineering Lead Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week) Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and preciselyenabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with. About the Role:
As the Deputy Engineering Lead you will serve as a strategic support arm to the VP of Engineering by managing critical external technical engagements, maintaining program-level schedules, ensuring subcontractor alignment, and enabling seamless execution across engineering programs. Qualifications:
58 years of experience in engineering program management, technical subcontract management, or a related role in aerospace or defense. Proven ability to manage technical subcontracts or external vendor relationships, including tracking scope, deliverables, and technical alignment. Strong understanding of engineering development lifecycles and ability to work cross-functionally with systems, mechanical, avionics, and software teams. Experience maintaining or contributing to an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Excellent organizational and communication skills, with a proactive, detail-oriented approach to following up and driving accountability. Comfortable acting as a trusted partner to senior technical leaders, taking ownership of high-leverage, cross-functional tasks with minimal direction. Responsibilities:
Technical Oversight & Subcontractor Management Act as the primary point of contact for key technical subcontractors or external vendors, representing Outpost's technical and programmatic interests. Ensure technical questions and decisions are routed to the appropriate internal subject matter experts for resolution. Monitor technical execution and validate that subcontractors are aligned with scope, milestones, and expectations. Serve as a technical subcontract lead, helping translate internal direction into clear external deliverables. Act as engineering oversight to subcontractors
providing accountability, clarity, and coordination. Program & Schedule Support Support the maintenance and execution of schedules and deliverables for government-funded programs. Help manage the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) by tracking task progress and following up with internal stakeholders to ensure milestones stay on track. Assist with program planning, deliverable tracking, and compliance reporting related to government contract execution. Provide ad hoc program management support as needed to keep programs moving. Ongoing Engineering Support & Coordination Help track engineering tasks, deliverables, and communications across multiple initiatives. Coordinate cross-functional updates and help maintain alignment between engineering and program goals. Identify inefficiencies or gaps in visibility and propose lightweight systems or tools for improvement. Compensation & Benefits:
$140k - $200k, Salary is based on experience. Incentive Equity Annual Performance-Based Bonus Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance Life Insurance PTO 401k with Company match Subsidized daily catered lunch, snacks and coffee You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R.
120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State