Chief Engineer - Spacecraft

Gravitics; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Gravitics is seeking a Chief Engineer to own the orbital transfer vehicle from architecture through first flight, leading all design, development, and integration activities. You will apply your propulsion expertise to develop, manufacture, integrate and deliver a high delta-v spacecraft.

This hands-on leadership role requires steering the product team, managing suppliers, conducting mission and spacecraft analyses, and guiding floor-level integration and flight readiness.

Qualifications

• Direct experience with in-space bi-propellant chemical propulsion systems and flight qualification.
• Demonstrated technical leadership of a spacecraft, stage, or major vehicle subsystem.
• Experience managing external engines or thrusters suppliers, including specifications, design reviews, and acceptance.
• Ability to understand structural, fluid, and thermal designs from first principles.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering: requirements, interfaces, verification, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Own the orbital transfer vehicle's system architecture, technical baseline and requirements from mission needs to subsystems.
• Lead system-level trades across propulsion, structures, thermal, avionics, GNC, and software balancing performance, mass, schedule, cost and risk.
• Direct design, development, integration, major design reviews, assembly, integration and test and flight readiness.
• Act as technical authority with customers, launch providers and government partners.
• Own risk register, schedule and budget for the vehicle and drive fixes from anomaly investigations.

Skills

Propulsion systems

Technical leadership

Supplier management

First principles analysis

Systems engineering

CAD/FEA experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

NX

NASTRAN

Job description

Chief Engineer (Spacecraft)

Location: Denver, Colorado OR Marysville, Washington | Hybrid

About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not just exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture the large-scale structures and systems that will power human and robotic activity in Earth orbit and beyond. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future, together.

About the Role

Gravitics is building a new orbital transfer vehicle to carry payloads to high-energy orbits, and we need one person to own it. As Chief Engineer, you will be the technical authority for the vehicle from architecture through first flight, leading all design, development, and integration efforts. You will apply your background in propulsion systems to develop, manufacture, integrate, and deliver a high delta-v high-thrust spacecraft.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will lead the product development team, manage suppliers, lead mission and spacecraft analyses, and walk the floor during integration.

Responsibilities:

Lead the Vehicle

Own the orbital transfer vehicle's system architecture, technical baseline, and requirements, from mission needs down to subsystem and component level.

Lead system-level trades across propulsion, structures, thermal, avionics, GNC, and software, balancing performance, mass, schedule, cost, and risk.

Lead all design, development, and integration efforts, including major design reviews, vehicle assembly, integration and test, and flight readiness.

Act as the vehicle's technical authority with customers, launch providers, and government partners.

Own the technical risk register, schedule, and budget for the vehicle.

Lead anomaly investigations to root cause and drive the fixes back into design, build, test, and operations.

Deliver the Propulsion System

Architect a high delta-v bi-propellant propulsion system: main engine, reaction control, propellant storage and management, pressurization, and feed.

Perform and review fluids, thermal, and structural analyses to define and verify system and component behavior, including delta-v and propellant budgets.

Own detailed requirements for tanks, valves, manifolds, tubing, and thrusters.

Define the qualification and acceptance test strategy, from component tests through integrated hotfire and vehicle-level testing.

Work with manufacturing to build, integrate, and accept production hardware for flight.

Support propellant loading, launch campaign, and on-orbit propulsion operations.

About You

You’re a successful candidate if you are a giver, not a taker. You make things happen. You are exceptional at several things, yet willing to take on efforts in areas of weakness.

Required Attributes

Direct experience with in-space bi-propellant chemical propulsion systems, with at least one system taken from design through qualification and flight.

Demonstrated technical leadership of a spacecraft, stage, or major vehicle subsystem across its full lifecycle.

Experience technically managing an external supplier of engines, thrusters, or other complex flight hardware, including specifications, design reviews, and acceptance.

Ability to understand structural, fluid, and thermal designs from first principles.

Working knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering: requirements, interfaces, verification, and risk management.

Familiarity with CAD and FEA packages such as NX and NASTRAN or similar.

14+ years of industry experience.

Bachelor's degree in an applicable field.

Bonus Points for

Experience on an orbital transfer vehicle, kick stage, upper stage, lander, or other high delta-v spacecraft.

Experience designing test or flight fluid systems for high pressure gases or liquids.

Hands-on engine or thruster hotfire test experience, including combustion devices.

Familiarity with safety critical systems, pressure vessels, relief devices, igniters/exciters, and propellant loading operations.

Familiarity with NASA, DoD, and range safety standards for spaceflight propulsion and pressure systems.

Experience with prop/fluid system analysis tools such as ROCETS, GFSSP, CEA, TDK.

Experience building and leading small, high-performing engineering teams.

Experience supporting U.S. government customers, and the ability to obtain a security clearance.

Salary Range
$210,000 — $250,000 USD