Chief Engineer

A New Paradigm For Space Operations.

Who We Are:  Space Kinetic is a dual use space technology startup building a completely new architecture for space operations – one that brings the advantages of proliferated drone technology (low-cost, operationally flexible, attritable, distributed) to space missions while reducing the ecosystem's reliance on consumable fuel. In a world where many companies are focused on incrementally improving the status quo,  we are focused on creating something entirely different – an architecture underpinned by new first principles to meet the opportunities and challenges of the third space age head-on.  Our goal is to move away from one-to-one space architectures – where each satellite in a constellation has one (or a small # of) primary payloads attached to the bus -- and unlock a ‘one-to-many’ system, where each satellite has a large number of payloads which can be deployed from their host spacecraft at high velocities without firing a thruster.   This is not a role for someone looking for a traditional 40-hour work week. Space Kinetic is building ambitious, first-of-its-kind technology, and that requires urgency, ownership, and a high level of commitment to changing the foundational assumptions for everything we do in space.

What You’ll Do:

The Chief Engineer at Space Kinetic will be a highly experienced and visionary engineering professional with extensive experience in successfully leading complex space programs from concept to mission operations and have demonstrated technical excellence in space system mission design and supporting development of space hardware from System Concept, System Requirements to Technology Readiness Level 9. This is a critical leadership role responsible for providing critical mission planning, requirements definition, technical oversight and supporting all engineering and programmatic functions within the company in a fast-paced start-up agile environment. The Chief Systems Engineer will develop and execute the overall payload mission, engineering, and production requirements in line with the company’s goals and objectives.

Job Responsibilities:

• Technical Authority: Serve as the technical authority for the Space Kinetic system, leading its architecture and major design decisions.
• Technical Execution: Provide mission planning, requirements definition, and technical oversight across engineering and programmatic functions.
• System Requirements: Own system requirements, including flow-down, allocation, verification, and validation.
• Subsystem Integration: Ensure GNC, power, communications, structures, thermal, avionics, software, and payload subsystems integrate correctly.