Chief Space Systems 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

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.