Chief Engineer

Momentus; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Momentus is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the design, analysis, development, integration, and launch of space vehicles in San Jose. You will oversee technical strategy and delivery, collaborating with engineering teams to meet performance, reliability, and safety objectives.

You will act as independent technical authority, align requirements with program managers, and guide trade studies, risk mitigation, and reviews across multiple programs and customers, shaping the technology roadmap.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in Aerospace Engineering with 15+ years full life-cycle spacecraft development.
• Strong knowledge of vehicle product development including structures, guidance, navigation, software, propulsion, electronics/payloads.
• Excellent communication and ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, development, integration and launch of space vehicles.
• Serve as independent technical authority for requirements, design, risks and schedules with PMs.
• Maintain technical integrity and baseline across Momentus programs and tech development.
• Provide engineering leadership and mentoring across engineering processes and reviews.
• Oversee system design reviews, verification plans and technical risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with leadership to align technology roadmaps with product needs and industry developments.
• Ensure engineering processes meet standards for product/program execution and compliance.

Skills

Structures

Guidance & control

Propulsion

Electronics/Payloads

Systems engineering

Verification planning

MBSE

Customer presentations

Education

BS in Aerospace Engineering

MS in Aerospace Engineering

PhD in Aerospace Engineering

Tools

CAD

Job description

As an early mover in the in-space transportation and infrastructure services, Momentus is at the forefront of the commercialization of space. With an experienced team of aerospace, propulsion, and robotics engineers, Momentus has developed a cost-effective and energy-efficient in-space transport system.

OUR PEOPLE

Daring problems require daring solutions. We boldly charge into uncharted territory knowing that no matter the outcome we will benefit from the journey and move closer to our goals no matter what. Our teams know that working at Momentus means more than building innovative technology, it means creating entirely new markets in the space economy. We are level-headed, business-minded strategic thinkers intent on providing immediate value to our customers today while simultaneously preparing for the vast possibilities of the future. If this sounds like you, we should talk.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a Chief Engineer to play a pivotal role in leading the design, analysis, development, integration, and launch of our space vehicles. You will be working closely with a functional engineering team to allow us to meet our objectives and achieve mission success. You will be responsible for overseeing the technical strategy, execution, and delivery of these systems, ensuring they meet the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• As the Chief Engineer, you will be responsible for managing the technical integrity and technical baseline for Momentus.
• Act as the independent technical authority for providing assessments of requirements, design, risks, and schedule with the Program Managers and product owners.
• Identify gaps between requirements, design, manufacturing, operations and facility solutions with project teams on practical solutions across the life cycle.
• Assess and disposition aggregate technical risks across programs and technology development projects.
• Assess and approve technical completion and compliance at major program and element technical reviews.
• You will provide engineering leadership and mentoring to coordinate design, analysis, and systems engineering processes throughout development, verification, delivery and operation.
• Provide independent review of corrective actions for major failures at the program/product level and work with functional managers in addressing systemic issues.
• Collaborate with program and company leadership to define and assess technology road‑map alignment product needs and industry developments.
• Ensure that engineering and manufacturing processes are in place, adequate and utilized appropriately.
• Collaborate with other members to assess and implement engineering process health and compliance with standards for product / program. Represent the Company and project with key customers and partners.
• Focusing horizontally on resolving high-level Systems challenges
• Ensuring execution of overall technical plan within the Integrated Master Schedule
• Responsible for ensuring program technical excellence as commensurate with program scope, customer expectations and company interest
• Through program gate reviews, oversee technical aspects of projects ensuring appropriate design, analysis and testing is conducted
• Review designs for cost, manufacturing, and quality assurance
• Provide customer facing technical leadership and guidance
• Define and maintain system requirements for flight spacecraft hardware and software
• Perform trade studies and analyses for spacecraft hardware selection
• Support verification of system and subsystem requirements
• Lead system design reviews and support program technical reviews
• Manage spacecraft harnessing and interface design
• Support regulatory and customer payload technical exchanges
• Support AI&T planning and execution for flight spacecraft and subsystems
• Create test plans and procedures to validate spacecraft and subsystem performance
• Develop and maintain risk mitigation strategies
• Support non‑conformance and issue tracking for spacecraft hardware
• Support on‑orbit operations and flight anomaly resolution activities
• Provide guidance, mentorship and leadership to all levels of engineers

Required Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of Vehicle Product development designs including structures; guidance, navigation, software, propulsion, electronics/payloads, communications, materials, subsystems, and Integration and Testing
• Knowledge in the development of high‑fidelity aerospace vehicle control and dynamics, vehicle structural dynamics, and accuracy simulations and performance assessment (including propulsion, steering and control, and accuracy)
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated experience with high‑value customer presentations, with ability to focus on multiple projects with competing priorities
• Ability to collaborate and achieve consensus when dealing with groups from diverse organizations and backgrounds
• Experience integrating multiple engineering specialties and stakeholders across multiple Integrated Product Teams and Suppliers
• Experience leading design, production, and integration of complex systems
• Strong understanding and broad application of complex engineering systems (engineering standards, configuration management, material review board, process control, tooling, facilities, software, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to make difficult technical decisions with good judgement
• Demonstrated ability to work with multifunctional teams and drive to results
• Design Engineering/Computer‑aided Design (CAD) experience and engineering releases utilizing Product Lifecycle Management tools
• Experience defining requirements and executing verification plans
• Experience performing system level trade studies
• Experience creating power, communications and mass budgets
• Experience leading a technical team in system level reviews
• Experience with spacecraft mission analysis, design, and AI&T
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent technical communications skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Expert knowledge of Vehicle Product development designs including structures; guidance, navigation, software, propulsion, electronics/payloads, communications, materials, subsystems, and Integration and Testing
• Expert knowledge in the development of high‑fidelity aerospace vehicle control and dynamics, vehicle structural dynamics, and accuracy simulations and performance assessment (including propulsion, steering and control, and accuracy)
• Subject Matter Expert {SME) experience and familiarity with high accuracy inertial measurement system modeling and performance; including calibration and alignment principles, Kalman filtering, and instrument error modeling
• SME experience in subsystem and vehicle model maturation and validation using test and proven analytical methods
• SME experience and knowledge in principles of MBSE (Model Based System Engineering)
• Experience with industry program management processes including CCB, ERB, EVMS, and Risk Management
• Previous experience working on DoD and other USG development and deployment programs
• Ability to hold and maintain a USG Security Clearance

Education & Work Experience:

• BS, MS, and/or Ph.D. degree in Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline
• 15+ years relevant experience in full life‑cycle development of spacecraft

Compensation:

Annual Base Salary Range: $250,000 - $300,000/per year

Base pay is one part of our total compensation package (base+bonus+equity) and is determined within a range. Your actual base salary will be determined on job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Our benefit plans include medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k retirement plan, short and long term disability and life insurance. We also offer flexible PTO, along with 11 paid holidays, sick time and paid parental leave.

This is a full‑time position in San Jose, California. This position requires access to export‑controlled commodities, technical data, technology, software, and services. U.S. citizenship, U.S. legal permanent resident status, or protected person status under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3) is required.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.