Head of Engineering - Mission-Critical Space Systems

Head Of Engineering

Los Angeles, CA | On-site

A venture-backed space startup is seeking a head of engineering to lead the development and execution of complex hardware and software systems supporting next-generation space missions. This role sits at the center of engineering strategy, technical execution, team development, and organizational growth. The company is developing a vertically integrated space mobility platform designed to support the future movement of infrastructure, assets, and resources beyond Earth orbit. With near-term mission milestones approaching and a long-term vision spanning both commercial and national security applications, the organization is building technologies intended to support the emerging cislunar, lunar, and deep-space economy. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering leader who has operated successfully in startup environments and understands how to balance technical excellence with speed of execution. You will work closely with company leadership to establish engineering priorities, build high-performing teams, and guide critical programs from development through deployment. This is an opportunity to help shape both the technology roadmap and the engineering organization during an important stage of company growth.

About Us

We are a growing space startup focused on developing advanced mobility and transportation systems for space applications. Our mission is to help enable the next generation of commercial and government operations beyond Earth by building technologies that increase access, maneuverability, and operational flexibility in space. Our team combines deep technical expertise with a practical, execution-oriented approach to engineering. We move quickly, collaborate closely, and are committed to delivering reliable systems that operate in demanding environments. Over the long term, we believe space infrastructure, logistics, and mobility will become foundational components of the expanding cislunar, lunar, and deep-space economy, and we are building technology designed to support that future.

Job Duties

• Lead and develop multidisciplinary engineering teams spanning hardware and software disciplines
• Define engineering strategy, technical priorities, and execution plans in partnership with company leadership
• Build scalable engineering processes, workflows, and organizational structures
• Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent
• Drive program execution across design, development, integration, testing, and deployment activities
• Partner with manufacturing, operations, and program teams to ensure successful product delivery
• Establish technical standards that support quality, reliability, and efficient execution
• Manage competing priorities, schedules, and resource constraints across multiple programs
• Support major product milestones, field deployments, launch activities, and mission operations
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, ownership, and continuous improvement
• Represent engineering efforts with customers, partners, investors, and external stakeholders as needed

Qualifications

• 7+ years of engineering experience within space, aerospace, defense, robotics, advanced hardware, or related technical industries
• Experience leading engineering teams in startup or high-growth environments
• Proven track record delivering complex technical products from concept through deployment
• Experience building and scaling engineering organizations, processes, and technical leadership structures
• Strong understanding of systems engineering principles and multidisciplinary product development
• Ability to make effective technical and business decisions in fast-moving environments
• Experience managing programs with aggressive schedules and evolving requirements
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence across technical and non-technical teams
• Experience working directly with founders, executives, and cross-functional stakeholders

Preferred Experience

• Background in electrical engineering, avionics, flight software, embedded systems, systems engineering, robotics, spacecraft development, or related disciplines
• Experience developing hardware products intended for operational or mission-critical environments
• Exposure to product development cycles involving testing, integration, manufacturing, launch, or mission operations
• Experience building teams during periods of rapid company growth
• Familiarity with highly regulated or technically demanding industries

Why Join Us

• Opportunity to lead engineering for products with real-world mission impact
• Direct influence on technical strategy, organizational development, and company execution
• Work alongside experienced founders and highly technical teams
• Significant ownership and visibility across the organization
• Opportunity to build and scale teams, systems, and products during a critical growth stage
• Exposure to challenging technical problems across multiple engineering disciplines
• Help shape technologies supporting the future of the cislunar, lunar, and deep-space economy
• Early-stage equity

$190,000 - $260,000