Lead Spacecraft Systems Architect

EVONA; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

EVONA seeks a Spacecraft Systems Architect Lead to own end-to-end spacecraft architecture from concept through flight and on-orbit operations. You will translate customer requirements into system concepts, ConOps, and vehicle designs while leading cross-disciplinary teams across propulsion, GNC, thermal, power, structures, avionics and software.

This founding technical hire role offers significant autonomy, direct access to senior leadership, and influence over the direction of a new product

Qualifications

• 8–10+ years of spacecraft engineering experience
• Experience as Spacecraft Architect, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Lead, Lead Systems Engineer or equivalent
• Demonstrated ownership from concept through flight and on-orbit operations

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end spacecraft architecture, translating requirements into system concepts and vehicle designs.
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering trades across propulsion, GNC, thermal, power, structures, avionics and software.
• Develop mass, power, cost and performance budgets with design margins and reliability requirements.
• Take spacecraft from initial concept through detailed design, integration, qualification, flight and on-orbit operations.
• Own interfaces with customers, partners and subsystem suppliers, including make-versus-buy decisions.

Skills

Spacecraft architecture

Systems engineering

Trade studies

Propulsion

GNC

Team leadership

Job description

We're partnering with a well-funded, fast-growing aerospace company building a new generation of spacecraft and in-space transportation systems.

Having established itself in the launch sector, the company is now developing an entirely new product division focused on what happens beyond launch - orbital mobility, spacecraft platforms, in-space infrastructure and next-generation space transportation.

We're looking for a Spacecraft Systems Architect Lead to join as one of the founding technical hires, taking ownership of spacecraft architecture from initial concept through flight and on-orbit operations.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new product line from the ground up, with significant technical autonomy, direct access to senior leadership and genuine influence over what gets built.

The Role

• Own end-to-end spacecraft architecture, translating customer requirements into system concepts, ConOps, subsystem requirements and vehicle designs.
• Lead cross-disciplinary engineering trades across propulsion, GNC, thermal, power, structures, avionics and software.
• Develop mass, power, cost and performance budgets, establishing design margins and reliability requirements.
• Take spacecraft from initial concept through detailed design, integration, qualification, flight and on-orbit operations.
• Own technical interfaces with customers, partners and subsystem suppliers, including make-versus-buy decisions.
• Provide technical leadership across a small, highly capable engineering team, helping shape future products and engineering processes.

What We're Looking For

• Approximately 8–10+ years of spacecraft engineering experience, although exceptional candidates with 6+ years will be considered.
• Previous experience as a Spacecraft Architect, Chief Engineer, Vehicle Lead, Lead Systems Engineer or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ownership of spacecraft architecture, with involvement from concept through successful flight and on-orbit operations.
• Strong technical depth in at least one spacecraft engineering discipline, alongside broad systems-level understanding.
• Experience making critical technical trade-offs independently, often with limited information.
• Comfortable in a small, fast-moving engineering environment where engineers take significant ownership.

Particularly Interested In

• Long-duration spacecraft, including GEO satellites, orbital transfer vehicles, lunar spacecraft and deep-space missions.
• High-delta-v propulsion systems, orbital manoeuvring, rendezvous or proximity operations.
• Spacecraft designed around long-term thermal, power, radiation and propellant constraints.
• Engineers who have personally shaped spacecraft architectures rather than simply worked within established designs.

Why Consider It?

• Join a newly established division as a founding technical leader.
• Help determine the architecture and direction of entirely new spacecraft products.
• Work alongside engineers with extensive launch vehicle and spaceflight experience.
• Significant ownership without layers of corporate bureaucracy.
• Competitive compensation, equity and the opportunity to help build a new business from its earliest stages.