Principal Systems Engineer

astspacemobile; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work within commuting distance

Travel up to 20%

Job summary

astspacemobile is seeking a senior spacecraft systems engineer to lead the technical integration of spacecraft with launch vehicles from interface definition to readiness decisions during campaigns. You will represent the spacecraft team in provider and cross-functional meetings and drive verification and mission assurance deliverables.

The role requires a strong background in aerospace systems engineering, extensive launch experience, and the ability to work across teams under schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, systems engineering, or a related field.
• Eight+ years in aerospace systems engineering with 3+ years in launch integration, interfaces, or launch-site operations.
• Strong ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule pressure and manage evolving requirements and interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Represent the spacecraft team in provider meetings, integration reviews, and technical working groups.
• Define and maintain interface requirements and control documents, managing revisions through formal configuration processes.
• Coordinate compatibility studies covering mass properties, structures, environments, and electrical/ RF systems.
• Track launch requirements, verification plans, and mission assurance deliverables, reflecting requirements in designs.
• Lead spacecraft processing, integration, encapsulation, and launch-site coordination with provider, range, and facility teams.
• Lead readiness reviews and advise leadership on technical go/no-go decisions.

Skills

Decision making under pressure

Technical negotiation

Written and verbal communication

Independent work and influence without

Education

Bachelor's in aerospace/ mechanical/ systems engineering

Job description

Role overview

Lead the technical integration of spacecraft with launch vehicles, serving as the main engineering contact for launch providers and the technical authority during launch campaigns. The work spans interface definition, compatibility analysis, spacecraft processing, and readiness decisions through launch.

Responsibilities

• Represent the spacecraft team in provider meetings, integration reviews, and technical working groups.
• Define and maintain interface requirements and control documents, managing revisions through formal configuration processes.
• Coordinate compatibility studies covering mass properties, structural and coupled loads, environments, thermal, radio frequency, electrical, and separation systems.
• Track launch requirements, verification plans, and mission assurance deliverables, and ensure requirements are reflected in spacecraft and ground designs.
• Lead spacecraft processing, integration, encapsulation, and launch-site coordination with provider, range, and facility teams.
• Lead readiness reviews, advise leadership on technical go/no-go decisions, and contribute to launch provider assessments and trade studies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
• At least eight years in aerospace systems engineering, including three or more years in launch integration, launch interfaces, or launch-site operations for a spacecraft or payload that has flown.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions under schedule pressure and manage evolving requirements and interfaces.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including technical negotiation and briefings for technical and executive audiences.
• Detail-oriented documentation and verification practices, with the ability to work independently and influence teams without direct authority.
• U.S. person status and eligibility to obtain and maintain access to designated launch facilities.

Nice to have

• Experience with multiple launch vehicles or leading a spacecraft campaign at the launch site.
• Familiarity with range safety requirements and launch facilities in the Cape Canaveral area.
• Ability to interpret CAD views and structural or thermal analysis outputs.

Benefits and work setup

Remote role based within commuting distance of Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a dedicated home office and reliable internet. Work at launch and processing facilities may involve cleanrooms, hazardous or outdoor settings, and irregular extended hours during campaigns. Travel may reach 20%, including to provider facilities and non-Florida launch sites.