Chief Engineer, Space Vehicles and Satellites

ispace, inc.; Englewood (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Hybrid work

RTD EcoPass commuter perk

Lunch stipend

Paid time off

401(k) matching

Travel opportunities

Stock options

Learning & Development

Team events

Job summary

ispace U.S. seeks a Chief Engineer to own the technical architecture of lunar landers and satellite delivery programs. You will be the single point of technical authority for vehicle design, working with teams across Colorado, Japan, and Luxembourg, and with external partners.

Expect international travel and strong leadership across disciplines. The role requires a deep background in spacecraft design, systems engineering, and a proven track record in technical leadership, with travel to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering or equivalent.
• 12+ years in spacecraft design or systems engineering with at least 5 years in a technical leadership role.
• Deep understanding of the full design lifecycle including requirements, V&V, ICDs, CONOPS, design integration, test, and sustainability.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft design, construction, testing, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the company's technical design authority for spacecraft, satellites/buses, and space-flight hardware.
• Establish vehicle performance requirements and architectures; assess readiness levels.
• Maintain cutting-edge knowledge in spacecraft design and development.
• Facilitate collaboration across programs to address technical topics consistently.
• Own the process for technical reviews to improve performance and reliability.
• Capture lessons learned and tailor design guidance from industry best practices.
• Ensure configuration control and documentation of spacecraft content.
• Provide accountability for risk, modeling, simulations, and trade studies.
• Collaborate with software, hardware, supply chain, and integration teams.
• Drive from concept through integration and launch; support business development as a technical resource.

Skills

Spacecraft design

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Cross-cultural collaboration

Technical risk & trade studies

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering

Master's or PhD (advantage)

Tools

Solidworks

Femap

NASTRAN

Confluence

JIRA

Job description

At ispace U.S., we're not just going to the Moon—we're redefining how we get there. Our missions push the boundaries of human and robotic exploration, driven by our belief: 'Expand our Planet. Expand our Future.' By providing cost-effective lunar transportation, we are pioneering a future where space is within reach for scientific discovery, commercial ventures, and sustainable exploration.

With locations in Japan, Luxembourg, and the United States, ispace is rapidly growing and leading the way in lunar exploration and development. Our U.S. branch is based in Englewood, Colorado, and focuses on high-capacity payload lunar landers designed to support future lunar missions. Our team is made up of innovators, problem-solvers, and visionaries committed to making space more accessible and fostering the next generation of space exploration.

Let’s go to the Moon together! Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for space.

We're hiring a Chief Engineer to own the technical architecture behind our lunar landers and satellite delivery programs. We need someone who can own the technical architecture across the board, satellites and spacecraft buses included, and serve as the single point of technical authority for the vehicle across every team and partner that touches it, internal and external. You'll work directly with our teams in Colorado, Japan, and Luxembourg, as well as outside partners and suppliers, to keep the whole program integrated end to end.

A big part of this job is relationship-based, not just technical. Whoever takes this on needs to build trust fast, with the team, with customers, and across cultures. This role also requires occasional travel to Japan, customers, and vendor sites to build and maintain those relationships directly.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the company's technical design authority and systems subject matter expert for a series of spacecraft, satellites/buses, and component-level space flight hardware
• Establish vehicle performance requirements, spacecraft architecture, and configurations, and assess vehicle readiness level
• Maintain an in-depth understanding of innovations in spacecraft design and development to ensure ispace remains cutting edge
• Identify common challenges across program teams and facilitate collaboration to ensure technical topics are addressed robustly and consistently
• Own the process for technical reviews, working to continuously improve product performance and reliability
• Facilitate capture of technical lessons learned and ensure processes and design guidance tailored from industry meet best practices
• Assure appropriate configuration control and documentation of the spacecraft and all technical content
• Provide accountability for technical risk, system modeling and simulations, system performance, system architecture, and trade studies
• Collaborate with software, hardware, supply chain, and integration teams
• Take extreme ownership of the project, driving from concept through integration and launch
• Collaborate with business development as a technical resource for capture pursuits

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• 12+ years of spacecraft design, systems engineering, or other relevant space mission experience, including at least 5 years in a technical leadership role
• Thorough understanding of the full design lifecycle, including requirements, V&V, ICDs, CONOPS, design integration, test, and sustainability
• Advanced knowledge of industry best practices and fundamentals of spacecraft design, construction, testing, and operations
• Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies
• Strategic mindset with the ability to link technology to business
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively across the organization and convey decisions, direction, and results clearly
• Direct experience with satellite and/or spacecraft bus design, systems engineering, or integration, in addition to broader spacecraft experience
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport across the team, globally, and with customers, and to work effectively across different cultures
• Must be willing to travel internationally

What Will Make You Stand Out

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical, Electrical, or Aerospace Engineering, or equivalent
• Previously served as Chief Engineer on a space program
• Experience working on government or military programs
• Experience with contract and supplier technical negotiations
• Rapid prototyping experience
• Knowledge of integrated software/hardware verification and test
• Proficiency in Solidworks, Femap, NASTRAN (or equivalent), Confluence, and JIRA
• Experience with complex spacecraft design and integration

$180,000 - $270,000 a year

The salary posted is a targeted range for budget of position. Base compensation can be negotiated and will be commensurate with experience, skills, education, and training. We welcome candidates with diverse experience levels and evaluate the best fit on an individual basis. Your final job level and salary will be determined based on your skills, experience, and the impact you can bring to the role.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Competitive medical, vision, and dental plans, with 100% company-paid options available for employees.
• Hybrid Work: Flexibility to work remotely and in-office, depending on your role and the stage of our program.
• Commuter Perks: Company-paid RTD EcoPass for buses and light rail.
• Lunch Perks: Monthly stipend to enjoy meals from our café.
• Paid Time Off: 18 vacation days, 6 sick days, and 17 paid holidays.
• Retirement: 401(k) plan with company matching.
• Travel: Opportunities for domestic and international travel.
• Stock Options: Participation in our stock option program.
• Learning & Development: Ample opportunities to grow, including lunch-and-learns, skills training, and stipends for professional development.
• Team Culture: A fun and casual environment with regular team gatherings, including monthly engagement events to connect and unwind.

At ispace, we believe that diverse perspectives drive innovation. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences, even if you don’t meet every listed requirement. If you’re passionate about our mission and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply. Your unique skills and experiences may be exactly what we need to grow and succeed together.

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

ispace is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with ispace is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by 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.

All applicants who are offered employment with ispace US will be subject to a background investigation. Offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a background investigation conducted in accordance with Company policies and all applicable laws.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. is a drug-free workplace.

ispace Technologies, US, Inc. participates in the E-Verify program.