Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer Denver, CO

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Denver, Northern (CO, KY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Astroscale U.S. Inc. in Denver, CO, is seeking a Senior Spacecraft Design Engineer to lead systems design across multiple service missions.

You will define the system architecture, manage engineering baselines, and act as the primary technical liaison to the prime contractor in a fast-paced, global environment. You will oversee interface definitions for on-orbit servicing payloads, guide risk management, and ensure compliance with safety, launch, and licensing standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, technology, engineering, or math; Master’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of engineering and operations experience with at least 2 years in a technical leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of CONOPS, ICDs, and spacecraft budgets.
• Experience with on-orbit rendezvous and proximity operations is highly desired.
• Excellent communication and ability to work across time zones.

Responsibilities

• Deliver an integrated technical solution for a satellite system meeting prime expectations and mission requirements.
• Define and manage systems engineering artifacts and the satellite technical baseline.
• Lead interface definition for deployment and hosting of on-orbit servicing payloads.
• Identify and mitigate technical risks, and exploit opportunities.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison to the prime contractor in international teams.
• Support meetings across international time zones and manage scope with stakeholders.
• Control cost and schedule through risk management and milestones.
• Ensure compliance with flight safety, launch, and licensing standards.
• Travel up to 20% for customer meetings and reviews.

Skills

Satellite design

Leadership

Systems engineering

Requirements management

CONOPS/ICDs

Spacecraft testing

Technical liaison

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM

Master's degree or PhD preferred

Job description

• Compensation: USD 145,000 - USD 175,000 - yearly

Company 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.

Additional Information

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. If you’re excited about contributing to our work and think you’d thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Deadline to apply is October 4, 2026.

Salary range: $145-175k. The salary range represents the low and high end of the Astroscale U.S. Inc. salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors including but not limited to experience, knowledge, and ability as applicable to the role.

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.

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