Principal Engineer - Space Focus

Re:Build Manufacturing • Englewood, CO

8h • $158,000 - $237,000

About The Position

Re:Build Answer Engineering is seeking a Principal Engineer focused on space to lead complex engineering projects and cross-functional teams. The role involves guiding project execution where precedent may not exist, applying engineering judgment to evaluate procedures and influence strategic decisions, and driving program-critical outcomes. This is a hands-on technical leadership role that includes mentoring engineers, managing small teams, and contributing directly to technical work as needed.

The Principal Engineer will apply broad expertise in launch vehicle structures and spacecraft systems, work with internal stakeholders and external partners, and support business development through discovery calls, technical contributions to proposals, and efforts to win new space-sector opportunities. Strong presentation and communication skills are essential. Answer Engineering describes its workplace as casual, with open discussions, frequent events, company BBQs and ski trips, and stocked snacks and beverages. The company promotes workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 15 or more years of progressive engineering experience, including significant experience in the design, development, analysis, or qualification of spaceflight or launch vehicle hardware.
• Broad technical experience with launch vehicle structures and/or satellites, including structure design and analysis, mechanisms, thermal management, materials and processing, avionics, propulsion, GNC, EMI/EMC, systems integration, and environmental testing and qualification; substantial expertise in at least one area and a strong working understanding of the others.
• Experience supporting spaceflight hardware through multiple product lifecycle phases, including design, analysis, manufacturing, integration, and verification.
• Strong foundation in structural mechanics, materials, analysis methods, and design principles applicable to launch and space environments.
• Systems-level engineering judgment and ability to resolve complex multidisciplinary technical challenges involving spacecraft architecture, subsystem interfaces, and integration.
• Experience defining, decomposing, and managing technical requirements from high-level mission and customer objectives through subsystem, component, and process-level requirements, including traceability and verification.
• Experience working with suppliers and specialized component vendors to establish technical requirements, evaluate solutions, and resolve design, manufacturing, and integration challenges.
• Ability to lead complex technical efforts, make sound engineering decisions, and guide multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience interfacing directly with customers, communicating technical recommendations, and presenting engineering findings to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to mentor engineers and provide technical leadership through influence and collaboration, with or without direct-report management responsibilities.
• Strong presentation and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Direct experience leading the design or development of major launch vehicle assemblies, satellite bus structures, or spacecraft mechanical systems.
• Experience with structural design and analysis of composite and metallic spaceflight hardware.
• Experience in a startup environment.
• Experience contributing to technical proposals, program capture, or development of new engineering business opportunities.
• Prior experience serving as a Chief Engineer, Principal Engineer, Technical Lead, or equivalent technical authority on aerospace or space programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams in solving challenging and complex engineering problems.
• Guide project execution from concept through full-scale production.
• Apply technical knowledge of launch vehicle structures and spacecraft systems.
• Use engineering judgment to evaluate procedures, influence strategic decisions, and drive program-critical outcomes.
• Mentor engineers, provide technical leadership, manage small teams, and contribute directly to technical work as needed.
• Support business development, including discovery calls, technical contributions to proposals, and efforts to win new space-sector opportunities.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, customers, suppliers, specialized component vendors, and external partners to align technical work and deliver successful program results.
• Define, decompose, and manage technical requirements from mission and customer objectives through subsystem, component, and process levels, including traceability and verification.
• Present technical recommendations and engineering findings to technical and nontechnical stakeholders.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement benefits.
• Paid time off.
• Potential eligibility for annual incentive compensation and/or long-term incentives, subject to Company plans.
• Employees share ownership in the company and share in the financial rewards of its success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal