Principal Systems Management & Engineering

Job Description Head of Engineering - Lead and Scale a High-Performance Engineering Organization Building Advanced Space Systems
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.

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. 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.

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
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
Represent engineering efforts with customers, partners, investors, and external stakeholders as needed

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
• Experience managing programs with aggressive schedules and evolving requirements
• Background in electrical engineering, avionics, flight software, embedded systems, systems engineering, robotics, spacecraft development, or related disciplines

Exposure to product development cycles involving testing, integration, manufacturing, launch, or mission operations
Experience building teams during periods of rapid company growth
Opportunity to lead engineering for products with real-world mission impact
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