Staff Spacecraft Responsible Engineer, Interplanetary Science Mission
Launch-vehicle company running a privately funded planetary science program, Los Angeles area
| Employer | Launch-vehicle company running a privately funded planetary science program, Los Angeles area (not named) |
|---|---|
| Location | Long Beach, CA (Los Angeles) · On-site |
| Type & level | Full-time · Staff |
| Pay | USD 164k–246k base Source: pay range stated in the source posting |
| Visa path | O-1A fit (senior candidates) |
| Role family | Spacecraft Systems Engineer |
About the role
The company's interplanetary science program is developing a privately funded Mars mission targeted for 2028, carrying instruments to map shallow subsurface ice and geology and to characterize Martian weather. This role owns the spacecraft bus and how it interacts with the payloads. It exists to keep requirements, interfaces and performance budgets under control from design through operations.
What you'll do
- Own the definition, integration and delivery of the spacecraft bus and its interfaces to mission payloads
- Set, track and close spacecraft-level requirements and budgets for power, mass, thermal and communications
- Work with external bus providers on design reviews, procurement and delivery
- Lead cross-functional teams through integration and test, launch campaigns and early operations
- Act as the technical and programmatic focal point between internal teams, vendors and customers
- Negotiate interface and schedule tradeoffs across technical and programmatic boundaries
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering or a related technical field
- 7+ years in spacecraft or satellite systems engineering, integration or mission design
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex systems across multiple vendors and customers
- Solid grasp of spacecraft subsystems such as power, thermal, communications, attitude control and propulsion
- Experience leading cross-functional teams through integration and test, launch or mission operations
Nice to have
- End-to-end mission development experience, including payload-to-spacecraft integration
- Familiarity with NASA or commercial New Space systems engineering processes
- Experience supporting launch and early operations of spacecraft
- Prior work on deep-space or interplanetary spacecraft
Pay & benefits
USD 164k–246k base. The posting mentions equity, generous paid time off and sick leave, parental leave and an annual learning and development stipend.
Pay source: pay range stated in the source posting. Market data, not an offer from O1DMatch.
Visa path
Senior spacecraft systems engineers often support an O-1A case with evidence such as leading flight missions, critical-role letters, peer or industry recognition, published technical work and high compensation. The posting states no citizenship restriction. An employer like this one or a U.S. agent can file the petition, and approval depends on the individual's record.
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