Lead Spacecraft Systems Engineer

Benchmark Space Systems is looking for a Lead Spacecraft Systems Engineer to build and lead our new Spacecraft Systems Engineering function. Benchmark has built a strong position in spacecraft propulsion through rigorous engineering, precise manufacturing, thorough testing, and close customer partnerships. As we move toward broader spacecraft-level solutions, we are extending that same engineering discipline to the vehicle level.

In this role, you will be the first hire on the Spacecraft Systems Engineering team and will define how Benchmark approaches spacecraft-level technical integration. The team serves as the internal technical integration point across spacecraft disciplines, ensuring subsystem designs, interfaces, and budgets close at the vehicle level across both COTS components and in-house developments. You will own the systems analysis, trades, and documentation that program leadership relies on; program-level technical authority and the customer technical interface rest with program leadership. This role calls for an experienced, independent technical leader who can own the function with support from adjacent disciplines and grow it into a focused group supporting spacecraft programs from early design through verification and delivery.

This role can be based onsite at our Burlington, VT or Pleasanton, CA offices, or remote for candidates located in the Boulder, CO area.

At Benchmark Space Systems, we’re pioneering the future of in-space mobility. Our propulsion technologies provide satellites the ability to maneuver, avoid collisions, and maximize mission potential—all while contributing to a safer, more sustainable space environment.

Backed by recent funding and a growing slate of new flight contracts for government and commercial customers, we’re building a workplace where bold ideas and passionate people thrive. Engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers at Benchmark tackle some of the toughest challenges in spaceflight, working together to turn cutting-edge concepts into real-world solutions. If you're ready to help shape the next era of spaceflight, there's never been a better time to join Benchmark Space Systems.

At its core, Benchmark is an entrepreneurial, fast paced organization. In this environment, we need all employees to solve problems, not be afraid to ask questions and be able to work with and help colleagues in different departments and positions by digging in and working on other tasks as needed/assigned depending on business needs. With that said, there are primary job responsibilities and measurements of success for this position, which are:

• →Establish spacecraft systems engineering practices, artifacts, and review expectations.
• →Own system-level trades, requirements tracking, verification planning, interface documentation, and system budgets across all spacecraft programs.
• →Define what is accepted on vendor data versus what requires independent analysis or test, and own the resulting verification credit rationale.
• →Evaluate and recommend COTS spacecraft components, assessing vendor specifications, qualification data, and heritage claims against program requirements and environments.
• →Build and mentor a systems engineering team as programs and scope grow.
• →At all times, maintain Benchmark’s outstanding reputation for operating at the highest levels of honesty, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or a closely related field, OR a combination of education and related working experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.
• 8+ years of experience working on space vehicles in a systems engineering or adjacent role, including at least 2 years leading small engineering teams in an aerospace or related environment.
• Experience with:
• Holding responsibility for a defined scope on at least one spacecraft program from requirements definition through integration, test, and delivery.
• Deriving requirements, setting verification approaches, and maintaining traceability.
• Space vehicle integration and test flows, typical program phases, and review cycles.
• Integrating COTS or externally supplied components into a flight vehicle, including assessment of vendor qualification evidence and heritage claims.
• Coordinating program management, engineering, operations, and customer needs.
• U.S. Person Requirement: Due to the nature of the work and access to export-controlled information, applicants must qualify as a U.S. Person under U.S. export control laws. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position now or in the future.

What you bring to the position, or have the ability to swiftly learn and be successful in:

• Working competency across major spacecraft subsystems (power, avionics, ADCS, comms, thermal, structures, propulsion) sufficient to lead technical discussions and challenge subsystem-level assumptions.
• Working knowledge of space environments and radiation effects sufficient to assess component suitability and drive design decisions.
• Ability, agility, and can-do attitude to work in an entrepreneurial, fast-paced, and matrixed cross-functional environment.
• Able to collaborate in a multi-team environment to plan and accomplish tasks and meet objectives.
• Communication Skills—Ability to understand, analyze and interpret business periodicals, technical procedures, or government policy.
• Uses effective written, visual presentation, and oral strategies to communicate technical problems and concepts to a range of technical and non-technical audiences.

Experience with:

• Leading a spacecraft systems engineering team.
• Holding responsibility for a full spacecraft program from requirements through integration, test, and on-orbit operations.
• Subject matter expertise in at least one spacecraft discipline—electrical, mechanical, or thermal preferred.
• The current commercial space COTS supplier base and typical qualification and documentation practices across it.
• Ground station networks and coordination between spacecraft teams and ground network providers.
• Spacecraft operator needs and operations concepts, sufficient to ensure operability is designed into the vehicle.