Back to jobs

Chief Systems Engineer

El Segundo, California

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are: 
Space Kinetic is a cleared, venture-backed startup focused on addressing urgent national security priorities. Our goal is to deliver a suite of asymmetric capabilities for space superiority and missile defense leveraging our proprietary electromechanical deployment system, which enables the rapid deployment of low-cost payloads through space without firing a thruster. Space Kinetic is currently assembling its TRL-5 prototype. Our goal is to leverage this platform to provide the United States with a new tool for securing the space domain & catalyzing the emerging space economy. 

What You’ll Do:
The Chief Systems Engineer at Space Kinetic will be a highly experienced and visionary systems engineering professional with extensive experience in successfully leading complex space programs from concept to mission operations and have demonstrated technical excellence in space system mission design and supporting development of space hardware from System Concept, System Requirements to Technology Readiness Level 9. This is a critical leadership role responsible for providing critical mission planning, requirements definition, technical oversight and supporting all engineering and programmatic functions within the company in a fast-paced start-up agile environment. The individual in this role is responsible for leading the Systems Engineering & Integration Team (SEIT), overseeing development of system requirements, architecture, and design of the Longbow payload system. The successful candidate will lead the Systems Engineering organizations and ensure the systems engineering team meets its objectives.  The Chief Engineer will develop and execute the overall payload mission, engineering, and production requirements in line with the company’s goals and objectives.

Responsibilities include establishing and implementing system engineering goals, managing budgets, and fostering a culture of collaboration within the functional engineering teams. The Chief Engineer will also be responsible to oversee day-to-day operation of the team, develop the systems engineering processes, lead engineering review boards, establish the configuration management practices, manage risks, space hardware verification & validation.

The position demands a strong focus on technological innovation, requiring the Chief Engineer to stay abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies leading the product from concept to development, space hardware validation/verification, qualification, and ultimately, successfully executing the payload mission objectives in support of our customer mission operations.

This role is pivotal in shaping the future of Space Kinetic as it embarks on an ambitious project aimed at advancing our revolutionary platform for dynamic space operations.

 Responsibilities

  • Built and Lead a World Class Team: attract, recruit, and retain top-tier space systems engineers to develop cutting edge space vehicle payload technology. Promote professional growth.
  • Drive Full Development Cycle: Spearhead mission system requirements definition driving prototype-to-design, through integration, testing, and deployment of the Longbow space technology ensuring successful prototype technology development through TRL 9 and space deployment of Longbow Payload.
  • Drive the definition, development, and allocation of requirements in support of design and producibility improvements. Ensure the seamless integration of payload design improvements on the path to flight.
  • Establish and Lead a Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approach to align with customer expectations and philosophy.
  • Partnerships: identify and establish relationships with Space Systems Engineering Centers of Excellence to promote Space Kinetic systems and products.
  • Execute System Development and Integration: Lead the system design trades, system integration and mission operations for full-scale space hardware deployments.
  • Act as the technical authority to technical readiness reviews, engineering change orders, and related data package revisions, root-cause and corrective actions (RCCA), and continuous improvement activities.
  • Serve as the technical authority to government and customer stakeholders by preparing and briefing status of development and production, risks, payload roadmaps during customer meetings.
  • Coordinate Space Mission objectives Across Stakeholders: work across Space Kinetic teams, external partners, and government stakeholders to align mission operations goals and execution timelines.
  • Foster Data-Driven, Results-Oriented Culture: implement rigorous integration & test methodologies and performance validation framework through operational feedback streamlining a continuous improvement process.
  • Champion Cross-Functional Collaboration: establish intra-team communication processes, lead the configuration control board, system requirements, software configuration, payload review boards and mission operations to accelerate Longbow development, qualification, and deployment.

 What It Takes:

  • B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in leadership positions of satellite systems development, integration, and operation.
  • 10+ years of professional experience developing complex space mechanisms, payloads with electromechanical subsystems and bringing these successfully from low TRL level to a pre-production level is a plus.
  • 10+ years of space systems experience designing hardware from concept through production; strong emphasis on full life cycle development of space hardware products (not small incremental updates to legacy hardware).
  • 10+ years of professional experience testing, troubleshooting, and debugging
  • Proven track record of leading space systems products, with strong leadership and people management skills.
  • Extensive experience in systems engineering, including experience developing space systems requirements, leading configuration control boards and familiar with Model Based Systems Engineering process.
  • Strong strategic planning and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and lead change.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with senior leadership and other stakeholders.
  • Experience in managing large-scale engineering projects, including project planning, execution, and delivery.
  • Ability and willingness to obtain a Top-Secret clearance

What We’d Love:

  • Master's degree or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
  • Extensive experience in aerospace or space technology sectors, particularly with complex and high-precision engineering environments.
  • Prior experience leading complex space component or assembly from initial design through production ramp as a lead systems engineer.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start­up atmosphere
  • Passion for advancing the commercial and National Security space industry

Where You’ll Be: 

  • The position is onsite at our headquarters in El Segundo, CA. Domestic travel may be required (up to ~20% of the year). 

What We Offer:  

  • Equity-Based Compensation
  • Highly Competitive PTO and Holiday Calendar
  • Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • Unique Performance-Based Bonus Structure
  • Health and Wellness Stipend
  • Commuter Benefits

ITAR Requirements:  
To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here 

Equal Employment Opportunity: 
Space Kinetic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. 

The annual base salary for this role is below. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data.  Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education/experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.  

Pay Range

$150,000 - $230,000 USD

Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at Space Kinetic? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in Space Kinetic’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.