Spacecraft Project Manager

Darwin Recruitment; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment is seeking a Spacecraft Project Manager in El Segundo, CA, to lead end-to-end spacecraft development from concept to operations. You will guide multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with suppliers, and ensure delivery within schedule and budget while advancing new technologies.

The role demands strong leadership, extensive spacecraft systems knowledge, and the ability to work across engineering disciplines in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• BS in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering or related field.
• US citizenship and ability to obtain clearance.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary spacecraft teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall development of spacecraft from conceptual design through final assembly, testing, launch and operations
• Lead spacecraft assembly, integration and testing to meet mission requirements and timelines
• Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimise design solutions
• Support launch integration activities, including interfacing with launch providers and getting all spacecraft systems launch ready
• Work with the research and development team to bring new technology into spacecraft design and development
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams
• Work with stakeholders so technical objectives are met on time and within budget
• Coordinate with suppliers so deliverables meet technical, budgetary and schedule objectives

Skills

Spacecraft design

Leadership

Project management

Systems engineering

Education

BS in aerospace engineering

BS in mechanical engineering

BS in electrical engineering

Tools

Python

MATLAB

C++

Job description

Spacecraft Project Manager
El Segundo, Los Angeles, California

This is a small satellite company focused on national security space, part of one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence groups. Their missions include missile warning and Earth observation.

They offer startup pace with the stability of the parent business behind it. The work is broad rather than narrow, so engineers here are not pigeonholed into one corner of their discipline.

This role leads the technical side of spacecraft development projects, from conceptual design through final assembly, testing, launch and operations. It carries technical leadership of multidisciplinary teams alongside supplier and stakeholder ownership.

What you will do

• Lead the overall development of spacecraft from conceptual design through final assembly, testing, launch and operations
• Lead spacecraft assembly, integration and testing to meet mission requirements and timelines
• Work with multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimise design solutions
• Support launch integration activities, including interfacing with launch providers and getting all spacecraft systems launch ready
• Work with the research and development team to bring new technology into spacecraft design and development
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams
• Work with stakeholders so technical objectives are met on time and within budget
• Coordinate with suppliers so deliverables meet technical, budgetary and schedule objectives

Who this suits

• Someone with extensive spacecraft design experience and a deep understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystems
• A proven track record in spacecraft assembly, integration and testing
• An understanding of space mission ground segments, including command and control systems
• Experience with launch integration, including coordination with launch service providers
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics and spacecraft communications systems
• Someone who can lead multidisciplinary teams and bring strong communication and problem solving
• A BS in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or a related field
• US citizenship, with the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance.
• Useful extras: end to end programme leadership on rapid on orbit tech demo missions, EMC and EMI testing and design, Python, C++ or MATLAB and space system or mission modelling, an advanced degree

What you get

Hybrid working with every other Friday off. This role is export controlled and requires US Person status. There is no visa sponsorship. The company is a drug free workplace with post offer testing, and successful candidates complete a conflict of interest assessment.