{"id":851126,"url":"https://alion.io/job/oligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer","title":"Chief Spacecraft Engineer","company":{"id":680264,"name":"Oligo Space","domain":"oligospace.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/oligospace","size_band":"1-10","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Ashby","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":4,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"}},"role":"Aerospace","role_family":"Aerospace","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Hawthorne, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":144000,"max_usd":249000,"period":"year","method":"role_seniority_country_remote_cell","sample_n":23},"experience_years_min":3,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-07-02T21:38:25Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-07-02","last_verified_at":"2026-11-03T19:07:46Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":123,"trust":{"level":"stale","repost_count":0,"flags":["stale"],"days_open":123},"description":"Oligo is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production worldwide. Our approach allows customers to focus entirely on their own technology and mission objectives, while we handle everything, from design and manufacturing to launch and operations. Leveraging cutting edge AI-driven generative design and automated manufacturing, our ex-MIT, Harvard, and NASA JPL team work to create the most advanced payload-specific spacecraft at scale in weeks over months.\nWith world-class advisors on our board, and fresh funding from top investors like Lux Capital, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional builders, fast learners, and ambitious engineers. Whether your passion lies in spacecraft systems, avionics, ML/AI, or advanced manufacturing, you’ll be collaborating across disciplines on real missions that fly, perform in orbit, and scale internationally. \nWe pair world-class AI/ML talent with top-tier satellite engineers under one roof to reimagine how space systems are built, starting from first principles. No bureaucracy. No legacy thinking. \nIf you think you’re a fit, we are extremely excited to meet you.\nChief Spacecraft Engineer\nAbout the Role\nWe are seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Spacecraft Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations of next-generation ESPA-class spacecraft. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the complete spacecraft lifecycle, from concept development through mission end-of-life.\nThe ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with proven engineering leadership and program execution experience. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of talented engineers in a fast-paced environment focused on delivering high-performance spacecraft on aggressive schedules and budgets.\nResponsibilities\nServe as the technical leader and chief engineer for custom ESPA-class satellite programs.\n\nLead spacecraft architecture, design reviews, risk management, and technical decision-making.\n\nOversee all phases of spacecraft development, including:\nRequirements definition\n\nSystem design and analysis\n\nAssembly, integration, and test (AI&T)\n\nEnvironmental qualification testing\n\nLaunch integration\n\nMission operations\n\nManage and mentor a high-performing team of spacecraft, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers.\n\nDrive program execution to meet or exceed cost, schedule, performance, and delivery objectives.\n\nInterface with launch providers, government agencies, suppliers, and customers.\n\nEnsure compliance with applicable NASA, SpaceX, and industry standards.\n\nLead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and mission assurance activities.\n\nFoster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.\n\nRequired Qualifications\nBachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related STEM field (Master's or PhD preferred).\n\n3+ years of spacecraft engineering experience, including flight-proven spacecraft development.\n\nExperience in both established aerospace organizations and high-growth startup environments preferred.\n\nDemonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.\n\nStrong technical project management experience with ownership of complex hardware programs.\n\nProven track record of delivering spacecraft programs that exceed schedule, performance, and cost objectives.\n\nWorking knowledge of NASA and SpaceX spacecraft requirements and launch integration processes.\n\nExcellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.\n\nTechnical Expertise\nStrong working knowledge across the full spacecraft lifecycle, including:\nSpacecraft systems engineering\n\nMechanical design and structures\n\nElectrical power systems\n\nAttitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS)\n\nRF communications and payload integration\n\nEnvironmental testing and qualification\n\nGround systems and mission operations\n\nAssembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T)\n\nHarnessing and avionics integration\n\nLaunch vehicle interfaces and ride-share missions\n\nLeadership Attributes\nInspires and motivates teams across all experience levels.\n\nCreates a positive, collaborative, and high-performance engineering culture.\n\nBalances strategic vision with hands-on execution.\n\nThrives in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments.\n\nDemonstrates exceptional listening, communication, and decision-making skills.\n\nWhy Join Us?\nThis is an opportunity to shape the future of space missions by leading the development of innovative spacecraft from concept through launch and operations. You will have direct influence on mission success, technical strategy, and the growth of a world-class engineering organization.","description_format":"text","description_chars":4702,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":3,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Satellite Manufacturing","Space Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-09-13T03:44:26Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":10,"band":"cold","label":"Long shot","p_open":1,"p_active":0.354,"p_room":0.28,"age_days":123,"expected_fill_days":29,"reasons":["conf:1","win:tail","crowd:"],"computed_at":"2026-11-03T05:54:40Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/oligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/oligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-03T19:51:13Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2443,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-04T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":680264},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=680264"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Foligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Foligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Foligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/oligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Foligospace-chief-spacecraft-engineer"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":851126}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"oligospace.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":851126},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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