Director of Space Systems

EVONA; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 220,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision

Job summary

A stealth-mode space startup in Los Angeles is seeking a Director of Space Systems to lead their spacecraft development team. This role involves managing the complete satellite lifecycle, from requirements to launch, while interfacing with external vendors. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years in spacecraft systems engineering, experience with subsystems integration, and a passion for innovative mission development. Competitive salary between $220K and $260K depending on experience, along with comprehensive benefit coverage.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in spacecraft systems engineering with vendor interface experience.
• End-to-end lifecycle knowledge from architecture to operations.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems.

Responsibilities

• Lead systems engineering for the satellite development lifecycle.
• Interface with external spacecraft vendors managing technical alignment.
• Manage system-level requirements and integration of laser payloads.

Skills

Spacecraft systems engineering

Vendor/supplier interface management

Cross-functional teamwork

Complex payload integration

Risk management

Job description

Director of Space Systems | Los Angeles, CA

We’re working with a stealth-mode space startup on a mission to build the first orbital energy utility - delivering power in space via optical laser-based transfer systems. Backed by tier-1 investors and led by industry veterans, this ~12-person team is moving fast toward flight demonstrations and early deployments.

As they grow, they’re looking to bring on a Director of Space Systems to lead the spacecraft-side of their mission. This role is a critical bridge between their internal engineering team (focused on laser and optical systems) and an external satellite bus vendor. You’ll take full technical ownership of the spacecraft development process - managing requirements, vendor coordination, trades, risks, and delivery from architecture through launch.

This is an opportunity for someone who’s ready to lead spacecraft programs at the system level, work closely with executive leadership, and shape a highly innovative mission from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead systems engineering and technical oversight for the full satellite development lifecycle
• Act as primary interface with external spacecraft vendor(s), managing alignment across technical, programmatic, and schedule domains
• Own and evolve system-level requirements, CONOPS, and ICDs
• Drive and assess trades across spacecraft subsystems (power, thermal, ADCS, avionics, etc.)
• Support integration of complex laser payload systems onto selected spacecraft platform
• Oversee design reviews, risk management, and delivery milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.)
• Collaborate closely with optical, software, and operations teams
• Provide technical leadership as the team grows; help define scalable systems processes

Ideal Background:

• 15+ years in spacecraft systems engineering, with direct ownership of vendor/supplier interface
• End-to-end lifecycle experience: architecture, design, test, launch, and operations
• Strong grasp of spacecraft subsystems and payload integration
• Experience working with commercial smallsat platforms or primes
• Able to work cross-functionally in lean teams and adapt to evolving startup environments
• US citizen or green card holder
• (Bonus: Familiarity with optical comms, laser systems, or power payloads)
• Base salary: $220K–$260K depending on experience
• 401k with company match
• 100% coverage of medical, dental, and vision

If you’re looking for an opportunity to lead spacecraft development for a novel power system - and join a well-funded team building something that’s never been done before - we’d love to hear from you.