Spacecraft Technical Project Lead

Company Description

Proteus Space is a Los Angeles-based spacecraft technology company established to capitalize on a rapidly evolving space landscape and the urgent need to deliver resilient orbital capabilities to maintain and increase our national science and security interests. We combine serious space flight experience with an open minded, first-principles approach, leveraging advanced computational design and Industry 4.0 practices to deliver custom spacecraft and mission solutions with industry leading speed, precision, and reliability. We seek to enable every payload and mission with a fully custom, purpose-built spacecraft bus, designed and delivered using Proteus, our patent-pending, automated computational design platform, with industry leading reliability.

Role Description
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Spacecraft Technical Project Lead to join our team. In this critical role, you will lead the technical aspects of spacecraft development projects, ensuring successful design, integration, testing, and launch. This is an opportunity to work on cutting-edge space missions, driving innovation and excellence at every stage.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the overall development of spacecraft from conceptual design through final assembly, testing, launch, and operations.
• Lead spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) to ensure compliance with mission requirements and timelines.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to resolve technical challenges and optimize design solutions.
• Support launch integration activities, including interfacing with launch providers and ensuring all spacecraft systems are launch-ready.
• Work closely with the research & development team to integrate cutting edge technological advancements into spacecraft design and development.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure that all technical objectives are met on time and within budget.
• Communicate and coordinate with suppliers to ensure deliverables are consistent with technical, budgetary, and schedule objectives

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive experience in spacecraft design, with a deep understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystems.
• Proven track record in spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T).
• Understanding of space mission ground segments, including command and control systems.
• Experience with launch integration, including coordination with launch service providers.
• Familiarity with orbital mechanics, spacecraft communications systems, and ground segments.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities, with a focus on collaboration and team development.
• B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

• End to end program leadership experience with rapid on-orbit tech demo missions.
• Understanding of EMC/EMI testing and design considerations for spacecraft. 
• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Proficiency in programming (e.g., Python, C++, or MATLAB) and space system / mission modeling.