Hands-on Engineering Manager, Spacecraft Systems

Muon Space, Inc.; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 202,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Muon Space is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a team of mechanical engineers customizing spacecraft platforms for specific missions. You will remain technically engaged, contribute designs, run design reviews, and set the quality bar.

This hands-on leadership role splits time between people management and technical work, reporting to the Senior Manager of Spacecraft Structures & Missions. Hybrid onsite in San Jose, CA three days a week.

Qualifications

• 8+ years designing complex, integrated systems in harsh environments.
• 2+ years managing or technically leading engineering teams.
• Track record of delivering hardware products to the field.
• Proficiency in CAD for large assemblies (SolidWorks preferred).
• Mastery of drawings, GD&T, BOMs, FAIs, tolerance budgets, and mass budgets.
• B.S. or higher in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of mechanical engineers customizing Muon's spacecraft platforms for specific missions; plan resourcing and hire as the team scales.
• Develop early‑career engineers through coaching, design feedback, and growth planning.
• Own the mechanical deliverables for assigned missions—from requirements through design, build, integration, and environmental test.
• Stay hands‑on: contribute designs, drawings, and analyses alongside the team, setting the standard you expect.
• Work with mission formulation and systems teams to translate customer needs into robust flight hardware.
• Set and uphold engineering standards for the team—safety, make vs. buy, materials, PLM, documentation.
• Run design reviews and test readiness reviews; align test plans with mission risk and own test outcomes.
• Partner with avionics, systems, thermal, structural, and production teams to optimize designs for performance and manufacturability.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

Muon Space is seeking an Engineering Manager to lead a team of mechanical engineers customizing spacecraft platforms for specific missions. You will remain technically engaged, contribute designs, run design reviews, and set the quality bar.

This hands-on leadership role splits time between people management and technical work, reporting to the Senior Manager of Spacecraft Structures & Missions. Hybrid onsite in San Jose, CA three days a week.