Chief Spacecraft Engineer

The role

The Chief Spacecraft Engineer will lead the design, development, integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations of ESPA-class spacecraft. This hands-on leadership role manages the complete spacecraft lifecycle from concept to mission end-of-life.

What you will do

• Serve as the technical leader and chief engineer for custom ESPA-class satellite programs.
• Lead spacecraft architecture, design reviews, risk management, and technical decision-making.
• Oversee requirements definition, system design, AI&T, environmental qualification, launch integration, and mission operations.
• Manage and mentor a team of spacecraft, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers.
• Drive program execution to meet cost, schedule, performance, and delivery objectives.
• Interface with launch providers, government agencies, suppliers, and customers.
• Ensure compliance with NASA, SpaceX, and industry standards.
• Lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and mission assurance activities.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related STEM field
• 3+ years of spacecraft engineering experience, including flight-proven spacecraft development
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Strong technical project management experience with ownership of complex hardware programs
• Proven track record of delivering spacecraft programs that exceed schedule, performance, and cost objectives
• Working knowledge of NASA and SpaceX spacecraft requirements and launch integration processes
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
• Strong working knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering, mechanical design, electrical power systems, ADCS, RF communications, environmental testing, ground systems, AI&T, harnessing, avionics, and

Nice to have

• Master's or PhD
• Experience in both established aerospace organizations and high-growth startup environments

About the company

Oligo is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production worldwide. The team consists of ex-MIT, Harvard, and NASA JPL members.