Head of Engineering

Gravitics•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Gravitics is seeking a Head of Engineering to lead technical execution for its core hardware programs. This role involves managing a multidisciplinary engineering team responsible for structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, and software, guiding them from concept through design, build, integration, and testing. It's a hands-on leadership position where the Head of Engineering will set technical direction, remove obstacles for their teams, and interface with executive leadership, customers, and government partners. The role reports to the Chief Operating Officer and is crucial for scaling Gravitics' operations from prototype to flight-qualified hardware.

Requirements

10+ years in aerospace/spacecraft engineering.
4+ years in a people-leadership role (engineering manager, director, or equivalent).
Proven track record of shipping flight hardware (spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, or comparable complex electromechanical systems) from design through integration and test.
Deep technical fluency across at least one core discipline (structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, or GN&C/flight software) and working knowledge across the others.
Experience establishing or scaling engineering processes at a growing hardware company (startup or program-start experience strongly preferred).
Comfort operating with incomplete information and limited resources.
Experience working with government/defense contracts (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI, Space Force, or similar) is a strong plus.
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
U.S. Person status required due to government contract and ITAR/EAR requirements.
Ability to obtain a security clearance is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
Ability to obtain a security clearance.

Responsibilities

Own engineering execution for one or more major programs, including cost, schedule, technical performance, and quality from concept through delivery and flight.
Build, lead, and grow multidisciplinary teams spanning mechanical/structures, propulsion, avionics, and flight software.
Set technical strategy and make critical decisions regarding build-vs-buy, make-vs-partner, and architecture trade-offs in a resource-constrained startup environment.
Establish and mature engineering processes such as design reviews, requirements management, configuration control, and verification & validation, suitable for human-rated and government/defense hardware.
Collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Program Management to accelerate the transition of designs from CAD to flight articles.
Represent engineering in customer and government program reviews.
Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent, fostering a strong technical culture and maintaining a high hiring bar as the team scales.
Manage program risk, drive root-cause resolution for technical issues, and clearly communicate status and trade-offs to executive leadership.