Mission Integration Engineer (Starshield)

United States Digital Space LLC; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

401(k) retirement plan

Comprehensive medical coverage

Paid parental leave

Job summary

United States Digital Space LLC in Hawthorne, California, seeks a Mission Integration Engineer to lead technical aspects of aerospace projects. The ideal candidate will have experience in project management and system-level engineering.

This role involves interfacing with customers, guiding project phases from proposal to execution, and ensuring timely completion of deliverables. We value problem-solving skills and a strong commitment to advancing the space industry.

Comprehensive benefits include stock options, extensive medical coverage, and paid vacation. Must be a U.S. citizen for this role.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in the aerospace or space industry.
• Experience with product design, integration, and/or test.
• Ability to pass security clearance and background checks.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of development from proposal to mission execution.
• Convert customer mission requirements into actionable criteria.
• Serve as a key customer interface during project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure program success.

Skills

Technical project management

System-level engineering

Technical communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline

Master’s degree in an engineering discipline

Job description

MISSION INTEGRATION ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)

Starshield leverages the company’s Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.

As a member of our Mission Management team, you will serve as a core point of contact for customers from early capabilities studies through successful launch and on-orbit activation, also supporting new business proposals from initial requirements negotiation through final handoff and validation.

You’ll lead and integrate system trades of various launch vehicles, spacecraft, and sensors, analyze solutions to meet mission needs and support the development of operational concepts and interfaces at the mission, segment, system, and sub‑system levels, and use significant latitude to be creative and test various engineering approaches.

Ideal candidates have a strong technical background in space vehicle design, integration, and verification across the program lifecycle, enjoy solving complex problems, work effectively in a fast‑paced environment, and are passionate about advancing the space industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Key technical leader in all phases of development from initial proposal development through successful test, flight, on‑orbit commissioning, demonstrations, and mission execution.
• Ensure contract deliverables are completed on‑time and per customer expectations, distilling customer mission requirements into actionable development criteria, objectives, and verification plans.
• Serve as the customer interface at meetings and reviews to develop interface requirements, test plans, operations procedures, design missions, system risks, and verify spacecraft flightworthiness.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to drive program success and collaborate with subsystem representatives across team boundaries to consider all necessary trades.
• Support all program phases from development, initial proposal, through successful test, flight, and on‑orbit commissioning, educating the customer on our designs and methodologies.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in the aerospace or space industry.
• 2+ years of technical project management and system‑level engineering experience.
• Previous experience with product design, development, integration, and/or test.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in an engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of technical project management with US government, NASA, or commercial spacecraft entities.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and deliver reliable, expeditious results across multiple parallel priorities.
• Previous spacecraft mission design, development, integration, and/or test experience.
• Positive, “can‑do” attitude, self‑starter, and ability to work in a high‑pace dynamic environment.
• Highly detail‑oriented, diligent, accountable, and professional with excellent written and verbal technical communication skills.
• Strong penchant for innovation in process improvement and system design.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position requires successfully obtaining and maintaining a Top Secret Security Clearance as a condition of employment.
• Must pass DoD level background checks for entry into various government facilities.
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay range:

Mission Integration Engineer/Level I: $100,000.00 – $115,000.00 per year

Mission Integration Engineer/Level II: $110,000.00 – $135,000.00 per year

Base salary is determined on a case‑by‑case basis and may vary based on knowledge, skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, upon being briefed into a classified program.

Other benefits include long‑term incentives (company stock, stock options, or cash awards), discretionary bonuses, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short‑ and long‑term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various discounts and perks. Employees accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation, 10 or more paid holidays per year, and paid sick leave that meets or exceeds legal requirements.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or otherwise eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.