Satellite Systems Engineer

Telemetry Today LLC; Tukwila (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Starfish Space seeks an engineer to support the refinement and delivery of Otter services, leveraging knowledge of the space environment, satellite operations, and system design skills.

This broad role covers performance analysis, to systems engineering, to satellite integration and testing support, with startup pace in Tukwila, Washington. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to validate mission concepts and ensure reliability under ITAR constraints.

Qualifications

• Must be a US person due to ITAR regulations.
• Willing to work from Tukwila, Washington.
• Capable of working a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment.
• B.S. degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering or similar field.

Skills

Python programming

Systems engineering

Satellite components and technologies

Experience designing and/or operating

Education

B.S. degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering or similar field

Job description

Starfish Space provides satellite servicing missions with its Otter servicing vehicle, including life extension missions for geostationary satellites and disposal missions for low Earth orbit satellites. Founded in 2019, Starfish has raised over $150M in venture capital funding and built a team of engineers with experience spanning satellite guidance, navigation, control, and autonomous robotics. Starfish has launched several missions to-date, and is focused on delivering Otter satellite servicing missions for SES, the U.S. Space Force, the Space Development Agency, NASA, and others.

Position Description

Starfish developed the Otter satellite servicing vehicle to provide satellite life extension and end-of-life disposal services. These are ambitious missions which have never been done at scale in space. This position will support the continued refinement and delivery of Otter services to our customers, relying on knowledge of the space environment, satellite operations, and system design skills. This is a broad role, with responsibilities ranging from performance analysis, to systems engineering, to satellite integration and testing support.

Qualifications

Must be a US person due to ITAR regulations (citizen, permanent resident, or designated asylee / refugee)

Willing to work from Tukwila, Washington

Capable of working a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment

B.S. degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering or similar field

Desired Experience

Previous experience designing and/or operating space systems

Programming experience in Python

Working knowledge of systems engineering

Working knowledge of satellite components and technologies

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.