Lead AI&T Engineer (Satellites / Spacecraft Structures)

Lead AI&T Engineer (Satellites / Spacecraft Structures)
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Employment Type: Full-Time | On-Site
Package: Competitive Salary + Equity + Benefits + Flexible PTO

Are you an AI&T Engineer with strong experience in spacecraft structures, integration, and environmental testing, looking to take ownership of full hardware delivery?

On offer is the opportunity to join a high-growth space company building next-generation satellite platforms through advanced computational engineering. You’ll lead the assembly, integration, and testing of spacecraft structures, ensuring flight hardware is built, validated, and delivered to the highest standards.

Join a team redefining satellite engineering with a first-principles approach, combining rapid design iteration, hands-on hardware development, and system-level integration. You’ll work across structural design, cleanroom assembly, MGSE/EGSE, and environmental testing—owning the process from design through to flight-ready hardware.

This position would suit a hands-on mechanical or structures engineer who enjoys building and testing real spacecraft hardware—someone comfortable leading teams, solving integration challenges, and delivering high-performance systems.

Key Responsibilities
• Lead spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T), including MGSE design and EGSE coordination
• Plan and execute environmental testing programmes, ensuring compliance and performance validation
• Lead structural design and development for primary and secondary spacecraft structures
• Develop and manage CAD models and engineering drawings, including GD&T and surface specifications
• Define and implement mechanical assembly procedures
• Collaborate cross-functionally to integrate structures with avionics, propulsion, and other subsystems
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements
• Document design, testing, and system performance
• Mentor junior engineers and drive engineering best practices

Essential Skills and Experience
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or similar
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft or high-reliability mechanical engineering
• Proven experience leading assembly and integration of flight hardware
• Strong expertise in structural design, harness routing, and systems-level mechanical engineering
• Proficiency with CAD tools (SolidWorks, NX, or similar)
• Experience with fastener torque specifications, material finishes, and structural analysis
• Experience working to aerospace standards (e.g. NASA GEVS or similar)
• Experience in cleanroom environments and adherence to ESD protocols
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills

Desirable Skills
• Experience with MGSE/EGSE design and integration
• Background in environmental testing (vibration, thermal, etc.)
• Experience in fast-paced aerospace or high-growth engineering environments

If you’re ready to take ownership of spacecraft assembly and integration and play a key role in delivering flight-ready hardware, apply now or send your resume to jake.payne@newspacetechnical.com
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