Lead Spacecraft Project Engineer

Position Title: Lead Spacecraft Project Engineer

Work Location: Albuquerque, NM

Clearance Requirement: Must have a current Top Secret security clearance.

Employment Type: Full-time

About Us: BlackVe, Inc. is a mission-first, dynamic, and innovative national security-focused company focused on emerging space and advanced technologies dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence in support of our government customers.

Job Description:

BlackVe is seeking a Spacecraft Project Engineer to serve as the technical leader for the planning, design, development, integration, testing, delivery, and operation of spacecraft systems. In this role, you will connect mission objectives, engineering execution, and program priorities while maintaining responsibility for the system’s technical performance.  You will lead multidisciplinary teams through the full spacecraft lifecycle, resolve cross-functional technical issues, manage requirements and interfaces, and ensure the successful delivery of mission capabilities and data products. You will also contribute to proprietary spacecraft architectures and technologies that deliver differentiated capabilities to government and commercial users.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise across all spacecraft sub-systems with depth of expertise in at least one area: structures, mechanical, electrical, guidance and navigation, software development, testing, integration, or operations.  This individual will work closely with systems, electrical, manufacturing, quality, and program teams to develop reliable, high-performance solutions that meet demanding mission requirements.

This is a fully on-site position based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

• Integrate design, analysis, testing, and operation of spacecraft and data delivery systems.

• Perform as a critical member of our Spacecraft Programs team by serving as a key technical authority on a spacecraft system and data delivery systems.  

• Identify and lead work within a small and agile team on a broad set of tasks and ensure the highest quality product through all phases of the space element design, build, test and operations.

• Actively collaborate with engineering, assembly, test, and software.  

• Leads, manages, and holds program systems engineering team accountable

• Responsible for the technical quality of all segments of the space mission: ground, launch, and space

• Lead the development of the space mission architecture and CONOPS in accordance with program goals

• Ensure technical architecture satisfies program goals by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to create and curate system requirements and verification plans across all technical disciplines: mechanical, electrical, guidance and control, propulsion, ground software, flight software, mission software, assembly, integration, test, launch, and mission operations

• Ensure interface consistency across engineering, software, and assembly, integration, and test interfaces, curating all necessary systems engineering documentation

• Enforce configuration control and document review policies and processes

• Lead technical reviews and design trades

• Develop and execute test plans to verify the functionality, performance, and safety of the spacecraft system. Translate mission objectives into engineering requirements and verify that designs meet those requirements.

• Oversee testing and validation.  Help plan and review testing such as vibration, thermal vacuum, radiation, and system-level tests.

• Identify and manage technical risks in accordance with overall program risk posture

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the team.

• Support engineering decisions with sound analytical evidence anchored in first principles.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, personal ownership, accountability, and self-learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.

• At least 12 years of relevant engineering experience.  An advanced degree in a related field may substitute for some experience. Relevant experience includes significant responsibility for spacecraft or complex aerospace-system development.

• Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance

• Advanced degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.

• Experience leading spacecraft development efforts and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, technical schedules, system performance, and issue resolution.

• Experience across the full spacecraft lifecycle, from concept development and design through integration, test, launch, operations, and disposal.

• Working knowledge of the ground, launch, and space segments of a space mission.

• Systems engineering expertise, including requirements definition and flow-down, interface management, configuration control, verification, and validation.

• Experience conducting technical trade studies, risk assessments, and system-level analyses.

• Knowledge of spacecraft system design, space domain awareness, satellite communications, or related mission capabilities.

• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to engineering teams, program leadership, customers, and other stakeholders.

• Have and maintain an active Top Secret security clearance.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Deep knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, such as attitude determination and control, avionics, propulsion, communications, power, thermal management, and flight software.

• Experience applying systems engineering principles within cost- and schedule-constrained development programs.

• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies, including architecture modeling, requirements traceability, coverage analysis, impact analysis, and digital-thread implementation.

• Experience developing and maintaining mass, power, link, thermal, or other spacecraft system budgets.

• Experience with CAD, simulation, embedded systems, or mission-analysis tools.

• Experience defining and meeting service-level agreements for space-based sensing, communications, or data-delivery services.

• Experience supporting environmental qualification, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations.

• Experience mentoring engineers and leading cross-functional technical decision-making.

• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with tight deadlines.

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in office, laboratory, clean-room, and manufacturing environments.

• The position may require occasional travel to customers, supplier, or testing locations.

• Some activities may require working outside normal business hours to support critical integration or test events.

• The employee must be able to work safely around spacecraft hardware, laboratory equipment, and manufacturing operations.

Location and Travel Requirements:

• This position is based in Albuquerque, NM, with occasional travel to other company locations or partner facilities as needed.  

Why Join Us:

• Mission first-Always. We prioritize delivering results that directly support space and intelligence community programs and national security objectives.

• We operate as one team, grounded in trust, accountability, and open collaboration, where individuals actively support one another to achieve shared mission success.

• Work on high-impact programs across space, ISR, and advanced technology domains supporting DoD and IC customers.

• Ownership-driven culture is founded in teamwork where every employee is an owner, with equity participation and a direct stake in our success.

• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including flexible time off; 401(k) with company contribution

• Constant opportunities for program and professional impact.

ITAR / EAR Requirements:

This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR.  To comply with federal export controls, all persons hired must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee or asylee as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(A)(3), or must otherwise be eligible to obtain the required authorization from the U.S. Department of State and/or U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable.

How to Apply:

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest on the form below. If there are any issues with applying or inquiries, please email to hiring@blackve.us.

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