Spacecraft Technical Project Lead

Proteus Space, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid medical healthcare

Flexible vacation policy

Sick days

401k matching

Pregnancy leave

Family leave

Holiday pay

Military service leave

Dental care

Vision care

Job summary

Proteus Space, Inc. is seeking a Spacecraft Technical Project Lead in Los Angeles to drive the technical side of spacecraft development from concept to launch. You will guide design, integration, testing, and operations, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to meet tight schedules and budgets.

The role requires extensive spacecraft design experience, AI&T expertise, and strong leadership. A BS in aerospace/mechanical/electrical engineering is required, with advanced degrees preferred.

Qualifications

• Extensive spacecraft design experience and system understanding.
• Proven AI&T track record and ability to lead multi-discipline teams.
• Experience with launch integration and coordination with providers.
• Familiarity with ground segments and mission operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead spacecraft development from design through launch and operations.
• Oversee AI&T to meet requirements, budgets, and timelines.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to solve complex technical challenges.
• Coordinate with launch providers to ensure launch readiness.
• Integrate cutting-edge tech into spacecraft designs.

Skills

Spacecraft design

AI& T (assembly, integration & testing

Launch integration coordination

Ground segment knowledge

Orbital mechanics knowledge

Leadership & communication

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Python

C++

MATLAB

Job description

Company Description

Proteus Space is a Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company established to capitalize on a rapidly evolving space landscape and the urgent need to deliver resilient orbital capabilities to maintain and increase our national science and security interests. We combine serious space flight experience with an open minded, first-principles approach, leveraging advanced computational design and Industry 4.0 practices to deliver custom spacecraft and mission solutions with industry leading speed, precision, and reliability. We seek to enable every payload and mission with a fully custom, purpose-built spacecraft bus, designed and delivered using Proteus™, our patent-pending, automated computational design platform, with industry leading reliability.

Role Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Spacecraft Technical Project Lead to join our team. In this critical role, you will lead the technical aspects of spacecraft development projects, ensuring successful design, integration, testing, and launch. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge space missions, driving innovation and excellence at every stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall development of spacecraft from conceptual design through final assembly, testing, launch, and operations.
• Lead spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) to ensure compliance with mission requirements and timelines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimize design solutions.
• Support launch integration activities, including interfacing with launch providers and ensuring all spacecraft systems are launch-ready.
• Work closely with the research & development team to integrate cutting edge technological advancements into spacecraft design and development.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure that all technical objectives are met on time and within budget.
• Communicate and coordinate with suppliers to ensure deliverables are consistent with technical, budgetary, and schedule objectives

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in spacecraft design, with a deep understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystems.
• Proven track record in spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T).
• 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, spacecraft communications systems, and ground segments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities, with a focus on collaboration and team development.
• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

• End to end program leadership experience with rapid on-orbit tech demo missions.
• Understanding of EMC/EMI testing and design considerations for spacecraft.
• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, C++, or MATLAB) and space system / mission modeling.

Salary Range: $160,000 - $200,000 per year. Final compensation is based on experience, education and qualifications.

Benefits

Proteus Space offers comprehensive benefits including paid medical healthcare for employees, flexible vacation policy, sick days, 401k matching option, pregnancy leave, family leave, holiday pay, military service leave, dental care, vision care and other benefits.

Equal Opportunity

Proteus is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of an applicant’s age, disability, sex, race, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status or any other legally protected characteristic. The Company will provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant with a disability or religious belief in or to enable the applicant to apply for the position.