Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer

Astroscale U.S.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Astroscale U.S. in Denver, CO is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer to contribute to on-orbit servicing mission design. You will shape system concepts, define interfaces, and drive integration across spacecraft and ground segments to meet mission requirements.

The role requires a strong background in spacecraft systems, lifecycle management, and leadership in fast-paced environments. Domestic travel (<20%) and collaboration across time zones are expected.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering satellite systems from concept through operations.
• Understanding lifecycle of satellite systems and subsystems.
• Experience with CONOPS, requirements, ICDs and budgets.
• On-orbit rendezvous and proximity operations experience desired.
• Familiarity with environmental testing, launch and commissioning.
• Strong communication, documentation and interpersonal skills.
• 8+ years in engineering/operations with 2+ years in leadership.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an integrated technical solution for a satellite system meeting requirements and OPs.
• Define and manage systems engineering artifacts and satellite baseline.
• Lead interface definition for deployment and hosting of on-orbit servicing payloads.
• Analyze and resolve technical risks; exploit opportunities.
• Serve as primary technical liaison to prime contractor; lead diverse teams.
• Support meetings across international time zones.
• Maintain cost and schedule via risk management and milestones.
• Ensure compliance with flight safety, launch and licensing standards.
• Travel up to 20% for customer meetings; oversee AI&T and TRR activities.

Skills

CONOPS management

Requirements management

System engineering

Proximity ops

Technical leadership

Strong communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's or PhD preferred

Job description

Astroscale U.S. is dedicated to the global Astroscale vision of ensuring the safe and sustainable development of space for future generations. Astroscale U.S. Inc. is a leading provider of on-orbit servicing solutions — including inspection, transportation, life extension, debris removal and refueling — for the U.S. government, partner governments and commercial operators around the world. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Astroscale U.S. applies world-class rendezvous, proximity operations and docking capabilities, mission design, policy, and economics expertise to solve the complex challenges our customers face.

Astroscale U.S. Inc. is currently seeking a Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer to join our team in our Denver, Colorado location. In this role, you will work on systems design of a variety of programs for Astroscale service missions. You will be integral to developing the on-orbit servicing solutions that will deliver our vision of a sustainable space environment.

Job Description

• Deliver an integrated technical solution for a satellite system that meets the prime’s expectations, mission requirements and concept of operations.
• Define, create, and management of necessary systems engineering artifacts and management of the satellite technical baseline.
• Lead interface definition for deployment and hosting of on-orbit servicing payloads.
• Leverage technical knowledge to analyze, investigate and resolve technical risks and exploit opportunities.
• Act as the primary technical liaison to the prime contractor. Extensive working groups, manage scope across diverse perspectives, lead/own.
• Support meetings across international time zones.
• Keep the project within the cost and schedule provided through risk management and program milestones.
• Enforce compliance with relevant standards and requirements including for flight safety, launch, and licensing.
• Domestic and international travel (<20%) will be expected to support meetings with the customer.
• Overseeing AI&T, TRR through satellite delivery, launch vehicle integration.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with on-time satellite delivery, including management of CONOPS, requirements, ICDs and technical budgets through operations.
• Understanding of all aspects of the satellite system life cycle, including designing and analyzing space and ground segments to the subsystem level.
• On-orbit rendezvous and proximity operations experience is highly desired.
• Familiarity with spacecraft level environmental testing, launch, and commissioning.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment; self-driven and motivated.
• Must possess the ability to understand new concepts quickly and apply them accurately and organize work assignments to meet established timetables.
• Strong communication, computer, documentation, presentation, and interpersonal skills are required, as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experienced professional with greater than 8 years’ experience in engineering and operations with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree minimum, Master’s degree or PhD preferred in science, technology, engineering or math, or equivalent experience.

If you’re passionate about our mission and believe you’d be an outstanding addition to our team, don’t worry about checking every single box—or having a background solely in aerospace or defense. At Astroscale U.S., we’re committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and open-minded environment. We embrace a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Please note Astroscale U.S. is a U.S. Government registered, export control compliant company, as such applicants must be a U.S. person or U.S. citizen.
Astroscale U.S. Inc. is an E-Verify employer.