Lead Engineer, Integration and Test

Outpost; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Equity

Healthcare

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

401(k) match

Lunch stipend

Snacks & beverages

Pet-friendly office

Company events

Job summary

Outpost is building spacecraft to return payloads from orbit, backed by U.S. government support.

We seek a Lead Engineer, Integration and Test to own AI&T for the return vehicle, directing end-to-end test campaigns and leading a small team to work with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams. You will drive test procedures, anomaly resolution, and test reporting, while influencing AI&T processes as the company scales.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years in spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test.
• Experience leading test campaigns from planning to flight readiness.
• Strong environmental testing knowledge (vibration, thermal vacuum, acoustic).
• Experience developing test procedures, anomaly resolution, and test reporting.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor junior engineers and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Own the integration and test strategy for the return vehicle.
• Lead a small team of engineers and technicians.
• Develop and execute environmental and functional test campaigns.
• Drive anomaly investigation and resolution during integration and test.
• Coordinate with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to resolve cross-discipline issues.
• Own test documentation and support flight readiness reviews.
• Help build and refine AI&T processes and tooling as the company scales.

Skills

Test leadership

Mentorship

Hands-on lab

Cross-functional

Test procedures

Education

Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Eng. degree

Job description

Outpost is pioneering Earth return logistics for space. We're building vehicles that can return payloads from orbit safely and precisely enabling faster space-based manufacturing, global delivery, and entirely new capabilities in the space economy. Our spacecraft is already backed by the U.S. government with multiple missions ahead. We're a mission-focused team, building with urgency, grit, and care for the work we do and the people we do it with.

The Team

We're looking for a Lead Engineer, Integration and Test to own assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) for Outpost's return vehicles. This role leads test campaigns end to end from planning through flight readiness and leads a small team of engineers and technicians executing that work. You'll partner closely with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to resolve cross-discipline issues, and you'll help build the AI&T processes and tooling Outpost needs as it scales.

Responsibilities

• Own the integration and test strategy for the return vehicle, from component-level bring-up through full-vehicle qualification
• Lead a small team of engineers and technicians executing AI&T
• Develop and execute test procedures, including environmental and functional test campaigns
• Drive anomaly investigation and resolution during integration and test
• Coordinate with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to resolve cross-discipline issues
• Own test documentation and support flight readiness reviews
• Help build and refine AI&T processes and tooling as the company scales

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
• 6+ years of experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test
• Proven experience leading test campaigns from planning through flight readiness
• Strong understanding of environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, acoustic)
• Experience developing test procedures, anomaly resolution, and test reporting
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor junior engineers and technicians
• Comfortable working hands‑on in a machine shop/lab environment alongside leading strategy

Preferred Experience

• Experience with reusable or return vehicles specifically
• Experience with proof and acceptance test campaigns
• Program or test management experience

Compensation

• Competitive Compensation: $160 - $220k annual salary, based on experience and equity component
• Additional Compensation: Annual performance-based bonuses that reward your impact.
• Shared upside: Meaningful equity in Outpost so you share directly in the value you help create.
• Comprehensive healthcare: Medical, dental, and vision coverage to keep you and your loved ones covered. We cover the base tier of medical insurance and all premiums of vision and dental.
• Protection when it matters: Company-provided short- and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind, plus life insurance for even more security.
• PTO: Recharge on your own terms with paid time off, plus 9 days of paid holidays.
• Invest in your future: 401(k) with company match to help you build long-term wealth.
• Fueled for the mission: Daily DoorDash lunch stipend, plus unlimited snacks, coffee, and tea to keep you energized.
• Mission that matters: Work shoulder-to-shoulder with leaders from aerospace, new space, and deep-tech industries building the future of orbital infrastructure.
• Pet Friendly Office: Bring your furry friend into the office so that they can be a part of our mission too.
• Monthly Company Happy Hours and Events: Drinks at the local bar, hibachi nights, mini golfing and more!

You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.