Principal Engineer - Space Focus

The role

You will lead cross-functional teams to solve complex engineering challenges and guide project execution from concept to full-scale production. You will apply technical knowledge in launch vehicle structures and spacecraft systems while supporting business development and mentoring team members.

What you will do

• Lead cross-functional teams to solve challenging engineering problems.
• Guide project execution from concept to full-scale production.
• Apply extensive technical knowledge in launch vehicle structures and spacecraft systems.
• Influence strategic decisions and drive critical outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to ensure program success.
• Support discovery calls and contribute technical expertise to proposals.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership.
• Manage small teams and contribute to technical work.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience, including significant experience in the design, development, analysis, or qualification of spaceflight or launch vehicle hardware
• Demonstrated broad technical experience with launch vehicle structures and/or satellites including structure design and analysis, mechanisms, thermal management, materials and processing (M&P), avioni
• Experience supporting spaceflight hardware through multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, and verification
• Strong foundation in structural mechanics, materials, analysis methods, and design principles applicable to launch and space environments
• Demonstrated systems-level engineering judgment and ability to resolve complex, multidisciplinary technical challenges involving spacecraft architecture, subsystem interfaces, and integration
• Experience defining decomposing, and managing technical requirements from high-level mission and customer objectives through subsystem, component, and process-level requirements, including traceabilit
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and specialized component vendors to establish technical requirements, evaluate solutions, and resolve design, manufacturing, and integration challenges
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical efforts, make sound engineering decisions, and guide multidisciplinary teams
• Experience interfacing directly with customers, communicating technical recommendations, and presenting engineering findings to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders
• Proven ability to mentor engineers and provide technical leadership through influence and collaboration

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Direct experience leading the design or development of major launch vehicle assembles, satellite bus structures, or spacecraft mechanical systems
• Experience with structural design and analysis of composite and metallic spaceflight hardware
• Experience in a startup environment
• Experience contributing to technical proposals, program capture, or the development of new engineering business opportunities
• Prior experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or equivalent technical authority on aerospace or space programs

Benefits

• Annual incentive compensation
• Long-term incentives
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Retirement
• Paid time off
• Other benefits
• Every employee of Re:Build will share ownership in the company

About the company

Re:Build is an advanced, end-to-end manufacturing platform that partners with industrial companies and innovators. Answer Engineering, a Re:Build Manufacturing company, provides aerospace design and analysis services.