Generative Spacecraft Design Software Engineer (ML/AI)

Software Engineer

Oligo builds vertically integrated infrastructure for automated spacecraft design and manufacturing. Our AI software stack, Zenith, turns raw mission requirements into flight-ready spacecraft using a pipeline of agentic AI systems, embedded simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop validation.

We're hiring a Software Engineer with a background in ML/AI to help advance core algorithms used for generative design, simulation-aware geometry creation, and multi-domain system optimization. You'll work alongside spacecraft engineers and flight software developers to build AI that doesn't just simulate reality—but designs it.

This is a hands-on, high-leverage role for early-career engineers interested in applying cutting-edge AI to real-world hardware. You'll learn spacecraft engineering, astrodynamics, and manufacturability by building models that directly influence how our satellites fly.

What You'll Do:

• Develop and deploy vision-language models that parse technical documents, datasheets, and system specs into structured engineering constraints.
• Build and train reinforcement learning agents that explore multivariable design spaces—balancing structural, thermal, orbital, and manufacturability objectives.
• Design and run CNN-based topology optimizers for reducing mass in structural components while maintaining stiffness and compliance.
• Construct multi-agent AI systems that simulate, evaluate, decompose, and iteratively redesign spacecraft configurations using embedded physics models.
• Contribute to our infrastructure for automated, high-context model training using flight data, past simulations, and test results—enabling real-time design intelligence.
• Work on automated system decomposition engines that convert high-level mission goals into detailed subsystem design specifications.
• Interface with physical simulation tools (Ansys, GMAT, Thermal Desktop) and CAD environments (OpenCascade, CadQuery) to ground designs in physical constraints.
• Collaborate daily with engineers building the real hardware—what you code will be tested in thermal chambers, vibration tables, and flown on orbit.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's/Masters degree (or final semester) in Computer Science, ML/AI, Engineering, or a related technical field (or willing to leave existing program)
• Experience in ML/AI through research, personal projects, or internships (not just coursework).
• 2+ years of experience building advanced ML systems (deep learning, RL, planning, or LLM agent frameworks).
• Strong proficiency in Python, including PyTorch, JAX, or TensorFlow, and modern tooling (e.g., LangChain, Ray, FastAPI, DVC, Docker).
• Experience working on one or more of the following:
• Vision-language models (e.g., transformers, CLIP, Flamingo-like systems)
• Reinforcement learning for constrained optimization or control
• CNN architectures for image-based optimization tasks (e.g., SIMP replacement)
• Simulation-aware ML pipelines, physics-informed ML, or surrogate modeling
• Ability to think clearly about tradeoffs between simulation fidelity, inference speed, and manufacturability.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience integrating with CAD kernels (OpenCascade, Onshape API, or SolidWorks API), FEA tools, or mechanical simulation frameworks.
• Familiarity with prompt engineering, tool calling, memory routing, and multi-agent system design.
• Hands-on ability to prototype, build, and debug hardware systems—bonus if you've worked with microcontrollers, sensors, or test rigs.
• Willingness to work extended hours or weekends when necessary to meet mission-critical deadlines.
• You've worked on engineering project teams, design/build competitions, or research groups focused on real hardware or systems.
• Familiarity with spacecraft concepts, astrodynamics, or control systems is helpful but not required

Pay Range: $110,000 - $164,000 per year.

This role is on-site in Hawthorne, CA.

Benefits:

• Equity
• Unlimited PTO
• Medical (Platinum coverage), Vision, & Dental Insurance
• Catering provided on-site everyday.

You may be eligible for our suite of benefits including medical, vision & dental coverage.