Principal Spacecraft Design Engineer

Vaxon Space; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaxon Space in San Jose, CA is seeking a Principal Spacecraft Design Engineer to lead end-to-end architecture for VLEO missions. You will drive mechanical, electrical, and system-level design decisions, develop CAD models, and coordinate interfaces between subsystems in a fast-paced startup.

You will mentor engineers, collaborate with suppliers, support hardware build and integration in the lab, and contribute to design standards.

Qualifications

• Experience engineering complex spacecraft systems.
• Proficiency with CAD and analysis tools.
• Experience with thermal, vibration, radiation, and reliability.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and communicate with stakeholders.
• A startup or fast-paced environment experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end spacecraft architecture and design for VLEO missions.
• Develop CAD models and engineering drawings; specify interfaces between subsystems.
• Mentor engineers and coordinate with suppliers and manufacturing partners.
• Perform trade studies, analyses, and design reviews to meet mission goals.
• Support hardware build and integration in the lab and drive design standard improvements.

Skills

Design Engineering

Product Design

Mechanical Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Leadership & Mentoring

Clear Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

NX

CATIA

ANSYS

Job description

Company Description

Vaxon Space is pioneering very low Earth orbit (VLEO) with air-breathing electric propulsion satellites, creating a new layer of space infrastructure for defense and commercial applications. Operating closer to Earth delivers significant advances in imaging resolution, hypersonic missile tracking, and real-time connectivity. The company serves commercial, Department of Defense, and allied international customers across ISR, missile defense, and next-generation communications. Vaxon Space is also enabling AI data center integration and direct-to-network connectivity from space, positioning the organization at the forefront of space-based communication and sensing innovation.

Role Description

The Principal Spacecraft Design Engineer will lead end-to-end spacecraft architecture and design for VLEO missions, from early concept development through detailed design, integration, and test. This full-time, on-site role in San Jose, CA involves driving mechanical, electrical, and system-level design decisions, developing CAD models and engineering drawings, and coordinating interfaces between subsystems. The engineer will collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to perform trade studies, analysis, and design reviews, ensuring designs meet mission, reliability, manufacturability, and cost requirements. Day-to-day responsibilities include mentoring other engineers, working with suppliers and manufacturing partners, supporting hardware build and integration in the lab, and contributing to continuous improvement of design standards and processes.

Qualifications

• Candidates should possess strong Design Engineering and Product Design skills for complex spacecraft systems and components.


• Candidates should possess Mechanical Engineering and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) skills for structural design, modeling, and detailed drawings.


• Candidates should possess Electrical Engineering skills for spacecraft power, avionics, and payload interfaces.


• Experience with spacecraft or aerospace systems engineering, including requirements development, trade studies, and verification and validation.


• Proficiency with industry-standard CAD and analysis tools (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, CATIA, ANSYS, or similar).


• Background in designing for space environments, including thermal, vibration, radiation, and reliability considerations.


• Ability to lead cross-functional technical teams, mentor colleagues, and communicate clearly with stakeholders at all levels.


• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.


• Experience with rapid prototyping, hardware testing, and working in a fast-paced startup or innovation-focused environment is beneficial.