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