Space Systems Engineer

Array Labs Inc.; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) with company match

Commuter benefits

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in California is seeking a Space Systems Engineer to lead the design and development of innovative radar satellites. You will influence all aspects of design from interfaces to testing, ensuring robust system performance. Candidates should hold a relevant degree, possess experience with space flight hardware, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. The role offers a competitive salary range of $150,000 - $250,000 yearly, alongside comprehensive benefits and equity options.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in spacecraft or complex aerospace systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience owning system-level requirements and interface definitions.
• Experience supporting hardware integration and test campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Shape and own interfaces across mechanical, electrical, RF, and data domains.
• Lead system design reviews and support program-level technical reviews.
• Document and communicate component-level specifications for performance.

Skills

Experience working with space flight hardware

Strong understanding of spacecraft and payload subsystems

Familiarity with radar or RF payload systems

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related field

Tools

Python scripting

Orbital analysis tools (e.g., STK, FreeFlyer)

Job description

Array Labs builds advanced radar systems to help humanity understand and respond to changes across the physical world.

We’re launching a coordinated fleet of radar satellites to create a high-resolution 3D map of the Earth – updated in real time – enabling faster, smarter decision‐making for government and commercial organizations. Our fleet will deliver unprecedented levels of accuracy, coverage, and responsiveness to power critical insights precisely where they’re needed most, supporting disaster response, infrastructure resilience, and mission‑critical geopolitical intelligence.

About the Job

We’re seeking an experienced Space Systems Engineer to join our team as we move from prototypes into proliferated systems. You’ll have the opportunity to influence every aspect of the design – from radar payloads to mass‑manufactured formation flying radar satellites – delivering cutting‑edge solutions for dozens of critical mission sets.

You’ll bring rigorous first‑principles engineering judgement to problems spanning the entire system. We value rapid testing and iteration over protracted analysis and formal verification: you’ll own the interface rather than updating the document. You will be at the center of how we design, build, and test our systems from early concepts through on‑orbit operations.

Responsibilities

• Shape and own interfaces across mechanical, electrical, RF, and data domains
• Lead system design reviews and support program‑level technical reviews across the product lifecycle
• Work with domain experts to create functional and environmental test strategies to validate spacecraft and subsystem performance early in the design lifecycle
• Own, model, and monitor system budgets including power, heat, data, pointing, momentum
• Document and communicate component‑level specifications to clarify performance thresholds and ensure system performance
• Manage technical relationships with hardware suppliers and customers, ensuring clear interface ownership throughout
• Drive trade studies and future architectures including component selection, parameter sweeps, and performance modeling
• Guide radar payload customer conversations from concept studies through delivery
• Provide technical support for regulatory filings (NOAA, FCC, and EAR/ITAR)
• Develop and maintain risk mitigation strategies; support non‑conformance and issue tracking for spacecraft hardware

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
• 3+ years of experience in spacecraft or complex aerospace systems engineering
• Experience working with and delivering space flight hardware
• Demonstrated experience owning system‑level requirements and interface definitions
• Strong understanding of spacecraft and payload subsystems
• Familiarity with radar or RF payload systems
• Experience supporting hardware integration and test campaigns
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage both internal teams and external technical stakeholders
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, resource‑constrained startup environment with significant ownership and autonomy

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience on console operating spacecraft in LEO
• Experience with serial manufacturing and/or operation of spacecraft (at LEO constellation or fleet management scale)
• Familiarity with spacecraft system‑level fault and reliability analysis (fishbones, FDIR, fault tolerance, root cause)
• Familiarity with software development or extensive scripting in python
• Experience with SAR instruments, or earth imaging sensors
• Expertise in the development of at least one spacecraft subsystem (e.g., Power, Comms, GN&C, Mechanical, Electrical)
• Prior vendor management or customer‑facing technical interface experience in an aerospace or defense context
• Working knowledge of link budgets and radar range equations
• Experience with orbital analysis and mission modeling tools (e.g., STK, FreeFlyer, or equivalent)
• Background in EO/SAR mission planning or ground segment operations
• Familiarity with U.S. commercial remote sensing regulations (NOAA), FCC spectrum licensing processes, and export control frameworks (EAR/ITAR)

$150,000 - $250,000 a year

Compensation & Benefits

Our hiring and compensation strategy is simple: find uncommonly good people and pay them uncommonly well.

We offer high flexibility between salary and equity‑based compensation. Candidates who make it through the full interview process can choose from three compensation mixes: low, medium, or high equity. Equity is a significant component of total compensation, and we aim to provide meaningful ownership for this role.

Full‑time employees also enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, a 401(k) with company match, commuter benefits, and more.

Final offer amounts are determined by multiple factors including experience and expertise, and may vary from the amounts listed above.

Interview Process

We conduct our interviews via Google Meet with the potential for an onsite visit. We aim to make the experience as smooth and transparent as possible, and you can typically expect the full process to take around 3–5 weeks from start to finish.

Why Join Array Labs?

Array Labs is launching a constellation of satellites to create the first high‑resolution, real‑time, three‑dimensional model of Earth. Our next‑generation satellite technology will offer image quality many times greater than traditional techniques, profoundly expanding humanity’s ability to understand and respond to events on a global scale.

We’re solving one of the hardest sensing problems in the world—from space. Our team is mission‑driven, highly technical, and deeply collaborative. Our chief focus is to build the systems and practices that help a deep‑tech company grow from early stage to industry‑defining. If you’re excited to help shape this effort, we’d love to hear from you.

ITAR Requirements

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Array Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made on the basis of merit, competence, and job qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by gender, color, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, gender.