VP of Spacecraft Engineering

Role Overview

VP of Spacecraft Engineering / Program Director for a U.S. Government space program. This leadership role will stand up a parallel spacecraft development track and own the technical execution of a funded initial phase while working closely with the CTO and executive team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a new spacecraft development program in parallel with existing company vehicle programs.
• Own a funded initial phase ("single-digit millions USD") with a mandate to:
  • Convert an existing high-level concept/proposal into a detailed technical architecture and execution plan.
  • Deliver designs, analyses, and validation activities within an aggressive 6–12 month window.
• Build and lead a dedicated, largely self-contained program team (internal staff + contractors), including:
  • Systems engineering
  • Spacecraft design
  • Mission/operations engineering
• Serve as the primary technical and program interface to U.S. Government stakeholders (e.g., DoD and related agencies), ensuring:
  • Clear communication of technical approach, risks, and mitigations
  • Delivery against phase-gate milestones
• Establish program structure, processes, and governance appropriate for a major government contract within a lean startup environment.
• Work with the CTO to maintain technical alignment with the broader architecture and reusable-spacecraft strategy while keeping necessary program compartmentalization.

What We’re Looking For

• 15+ years senior experience in space/aerospace engineering, focused on spacecraft systems.
• Proven leadership as Program Manager / Program Director / VP / Chief Engineer for large, complex spacecraft/space programs.
• Direct experience delivering U.S. Government space programs (DoD/service branches/advanced research agencies), including phase-based, milestone-driven contracts.
• Experience with high technical risk/high reward R&D, demonstrator missions, or similar.
• Ability to drive a concept/proposal through:
  • Architecture definition
  • Systems engineering & design maturation
  • Validation & demonstration planning under tight schedules.
• Deep understanding of complex spacecraft mission design (e.g., rendezvous, proximity operations, capture/handling, return or re-entry), or comparable mission profiles.
• Strong program leadership capabilities:
  • Building a team from scratch
  • Budget/resource planning across multi-million-dollar phases
  • Technical and programmatic risk management
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication (technical-to-executive translation).
• Comfortable operating in a startup model using a mix of employees and contractors.

Security / Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Active or recently active DoD clearance (Secret or above) strongly preferred (must be eligible to obtain/maintain as required).