Chief Engineer – Satellite Systems

Stellar Solutions•San Jose, CA

16h•$195,000 - $255,000

About The Position

Stellar Solutions is seeking a Chief Engineer - Satellite Systems to serve as the senior technical authority for the design, development, and delivery of an advanced Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite platform supporting a next-generation precision navigation and timing (PNT) service. This role provides end-to-end spacecraft technical leadership and system integration oversight, ensuring the satellite functions as a tightly integrated component of an end-to-end service architecture from space to ground.

Requirements

Extensive experience in spacecraft systems engineering or technical leadership roles.
Demonstrated success leading satellite programs through design, integration, and on-orbit operations.
Proven ability to execute system-level trades and resolve cross-subsystem technical issues.
Strong communication skills with engineering teams and executive stakeholders.
Relevant BS in Eng or related STEM degree (MS preferred).
U.S. Citizenship Requirement To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder), or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3).

Nice To Haves

5+ years in senior spacecraft systems engineering or technical leadership positions.
Experience across multiple lifecycle phases (concept, PDR/CDR, I&T, launch, operations).
Broad grounding across spacecraft subsystems (payload, GNC, power, communications, thermal, structures).
Experience developing system architectures, technical baselines, and verification strategies.
Familiarity with constellation missions and ground-segment integration.
Experience leading matrixed technical teams.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical authority and Chief Engineer for the spacecraft, owning system architecture, technical baselines, interfaces, and margins.
Lead system-level trade studies balancing performance, cost, schedule, and risk.
Define and maintain requirements flow-down, interface control, and configuration management.
Oversee verification and validation strategy and execution, ensuring analytical, environmental, and flight test results close performance gaps.
Guide subsystem Responsible Engineers (REs) and IPT leads, ensuring disciplined systems engineering practices and cross-discipline integration.
Drive design-for-manufacture and design-for-operations practices in collaboration with production and mission operations teams.
Partner with program management to forecast resources, manage technical risk, and communicate system status to internal and customer leadership.
Ensure integration between spacecraft, ground systems, and service architecture.