Chief Engineer – Satellite Systems
About The Position
Stellar Solutions is a nationally recognized Great Place to Work® and a leading systems engineering services firm delivering high-impact solutions to government, commercial, and nonprofit space partners. We specialize in complex, mission-critical programs that span space, ground, and enterprise systems - bringing technical rigor, systems thinking, and operational insight to every phase of the mission lifecycle. 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).
- 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.
Benefits
- This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits (all included as part of package).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
51-100 employees
