Lead Spacecraft Design Enfgineer

X4 Technology; Town of Vermont (WI); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited vacation

Significant technical ownership

Active government and commercial flight programs

Job summary

A well-funded space technology company is seeking a Lead Spacecraft Designer to take technical ownership of their flagship vehicle. This role involves end-to-end mechanical design of a High Energy Logistics Stage (HELS), translating system architecture into flight-ready vehicles. Candidates should possess strong SolidWorks expertise and a hands-on engineering mindset. The position offers high ownership, unlimited vacation, and the chance to work on government and commercial flight programs, with a target compensation of $200,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Experience in Spacecraft/Aerospace is highly desirable.
• Comfort operating with high autonomy in an entrepreneurial setting.
• A builder’s mindset focused on what works, what flies, and can be tested.

Responsibilities

• Own the full mechanical design of the spacecraft: structures, tanks, mechanisms, and interfaces.
• Lead CAD development from concept through production hardware.
• Work closely with propulsion, avionics, and systems engineering to translate requirements into reality.
• Support manufacturing, integration, and test, with designs moving rapidly from screen to shop floor.
• Drive practical, flight-focused engineering decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

SolidWorks expertise

Hands-on engineering

Autonomy in entrepreneurial settings

Job description

A well-funded, fast-growing space technology company is building the next generation of rapid, responsive in-space mobility systems—and we’re looking for a Lead Spacecraft Designer to take technical ownership of a flagship vehicle.

The Opportunity

You’ll lead the end-to-end mechanical design of a new High Energy Logistics Stage (HELS)—a spacecraft designed to move payloads quickly and efficiently between orbits. From early CAD concepts to flight hardware, you’ll be responsible for turning system architecture into a manufacturable, testable, flight-ready vehicle. Experience in Spacecraft/Aerospace is highly desirable.

This is a hands-on, senior technical role for someone who lives in SolidWorks, values clean, buildable designs, and wants real ownership over what flies.

What You’ll Do

• Own the full mechanical design of the spacecraft: structures, tanks, mechanisms, and interfaces
• Lead CAD development from concept through production hardware
• Work closely with propulsion, avionics, and systems engineering to translate requirements into reality
• Support manufacturing, integration, and test, with designs moving rapidly from screen to shop floor
• Drive practical, flight-focused engineering decisions in a fast-paced environment

What We’re Looking For

• Strong SolidWorks expertise and a passion for hands-on engineering
• Comfort operating with high autonomy in an entrepreneurial setting
• A builder’s mindset—focused on what works, what flies, and what can be tested

Location

• On-site in Vermont with potential for hybrid work

Why Join?

• Active government and commercial flight programs (ITAR)
• High ownership, low bureaucracy, and strong technical rigor
• Transparent, problem-solving culture where engineers make real decisions
• Designs don’t sit on a shelf—they get built and tested
• Target compensation: $200,000 annually
• Unlimited vacation
• Significant technical ownership over a core spacecraft program