Chief Engineer, Spacecraft Integrated Systems

Jobtailor; Arizona; On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor seeks a seasoned engineering leader to serve as the Chief Engineer for complex aerospace programs, guiding system architecture, integration, verification, and mission assurance.

The role requires deep expertise across systems engineering, spacecraft integration, and technical leadership of multidisciplinary teams, with a proven track record delivering large-scale spaceflight programs and mentoring engineers while balancing cost, schedule, and performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience leading aerospace or space programs.
• Experience developing, integrating, testing, and deploying spaceflight systems.
• Experience as technical authority or engineering leader on large aerospace programs.
• Strong understanding of systems engineering, spacecraft architecture, and requirements management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft integrated systems across lifecycle stages.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering initiatives across systems, mechanical, electronics, software, controls, propulsion, structures, and thermal disciplines.
• Own and approve critical technical decisions, artifacts, and development documentation.
• Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, and readiness reviews.
• Mentor engineers and guide technical talent across multiple disciplines.
• Balance technical risk with cost and schedule to meet mission objectives.

Skills

Systems Engineering Principles

Spacecraft Integration

Technical Leadership

Risk Management

Requirements Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, systems engineering, physics, or related field

Master’s degree or Ph.D. in related field (preferred)

Job description

• Serve as the technical authority for spacecraft integrated systems across concept development, design, integration, verification, production, launch, and mission support
• Ensure product integrity, technical excellence, and mission success across development, production, and sustainment programs
• Lead large, complex multidisciplinary engineering initiatives across systems engineering, mechanical design, electronics, software, controls, propulsion, structures, and thermal disciplines
• Support Business Unit technology strategies and long-term spacecraft product roadmaps
• Establish and maintain technical standards for system performance, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and mission assurance
• Provide technical leadership in architecture development, requirements management, system integration, verification, validation, and qualification
• Ensure compliance with Moog engineering processes, customer requirements, space industry standards, and program commitments
• Own and approve critical technical decisions, engineering deliverables, qualification artifacts, and development documentation
• Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, readiness reviews, and development assurance activities
• Serve as primary technical advisor to customers, program leadership, and executive management
• Provide technical disposition and guidance for complex development, production, integration, test, and field-related issues
• Collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, operations, and program management
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes, systems engineering methodologies, and technical standards
• Mentor engineers and technical leaders while building organizational technical capability
• Balance technical risk, program cost, schedule commitments, and customer expectations to achieve successful mission outcomes

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including significant experience leading complex aerospace, defense, propulsion, or electromechanical systems programs
• Extensive experience developing, integrating, testing, and deploying complex aerospace, spacecraft, satellite, or spaceflight systems
• Demonstrated success serving as a technical authority or engineering leader on large-scale aerospace or space programs
• Deep understanding of systems engineering principles, spacecraft architecture, requirements management, integration, verification, validation, and mission assurance
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams through complex technical challenges and program execution
• Proven ability to develop technical strategies, influence organizational priorities, and guide critical engineering decisions
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management, risk management, configuration management, and development assurance processes
• Experience evaluating technical tradeoffs involving performance, reliability, cost, schedule, manufacturability, and mission requirements
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage customers, senior leadership, and engineering teams
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers and develop technical talent across multiple disciplines
• Experience interacting directly with government, commercial space, defense, or aerospace customers
• Ability to work across geographically dispersed teams and multiple business functions
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance, if required
• U.S. Citizenship may be required for access to export-controlled information and certain government programs
• Preferred: Master's degree or Ph.D. in a related field
• Preferred: Experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Chief Systems Engineer, Technical Fellow, Technical Director, or equivalent technical leadership role
• Preferred: Expertise in spacecraft integration, satellite systems, avionics, flight controls, guidance and navigation, mission systems, propulsion, payload integration, or related technologies
• Preferred: Experience supporting spacecraft development programs from concept through launch and mission operations
• Preferred: Knowledge of NASA, DoD, commercial space, or other aerospace industry standards and requirements
• Preferred: Active U.S. Government Security Clearance
• Preferred: Recognition as a subject matter expert within the aerospace or space systems community

Core Competencies

Demonstrates extensive expertise in systems engineering, spacecraft integration, and technical leadership across complex aerospace programs. Proven ability to mentor engineers, develop technical strategies, and ensure compliance with industry standards while driving mission success.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Systems Engineering Principles
• Spacecraft Integration
• Technical Leadership
• Risk Management
• Requirements Management

Hard Skills

• Aerospace Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Propulsion Systems
• Verification and Validation
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Configuration Management
• Mission Assurance
• Technical Strategy Development
• Complex Systems Integration

Soft Skills

• Analytical Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Decision-Making
• Written Communication
• Verbal Communication

Certifications & Qualifications

• U.S. Government Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

• Aerospace
• Defense
• Space Systems
• NASA Standards
• DoD Standards
• Commercial Space
• Mission Operations
• Technical Authority
• Engineering Deliverables
• Multidisciplinary Engineering