Principal Vehicle Engineer

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an exceptional technical leader who thrives at both strategic architecture and hands-on engineering. As the Principal Vehicle Engineer, you'll be in the trenches designing and testing while also making critical architectural decisions that shape the company's future. This role demands someone who can seamlessly switch between detailed technical work and high-level system thinking. Their environment is fast-paced, highly autonomous, and rewards extreme ownership of problems and solutions.

You'll be working at the intersection of thermal, mechanical, and avionics systems, ensuring cohesive integration while maintaining rigorous aerospace standards. This is a rare opportunity for an engineer who:

• Can dive deep into technical problems while maintaining system-level perspective
• Takes complete ownership of challenges from concept through execution
• Thrives in a hands-on environment where no task is too small
• Makes and owns strategic decisions that impact long-term architecture
• Leads by example and elevates the technical capabilities of the team

About This Client

Space is the bleeding edge for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the door, true economic transformation requires infrastructure that makes orbit as accessible and reliable as air travel. Our client is building that future by developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability transforming space from a one-way street into a two-way highway for innovation and commerce. They are based in Denver, CO and believe in the power of in-person collaboration. They are onsite 5 days/week by default, but flexible when life requires it.

Why Join Them?

• Pioneering Technology: They are developing the first reusable satellite platform with controlled return capability fundamentally transforming space from a one-way journey to a two-way highway
• Real Impact: Your work will enable new industries in space manufacturing, research, and logistics while pioneering sustainable space infrastructure
• Speed & Autonomy: They maintain parallel hardware development streams and empower engineers to innovate rapidly while upholding rigorous aerospace standards
• World-Class Team: Work alongside experts from leading aerospace companies and research institutions, building technology that will reshape humanity's access to space

The Role

You ll serve as technical authority for vehicle-level architecture and integration.

• Drive technical trade studies across subsystems
• Lead design reviews and technical risk assessments
• Manage interfaces between mechanical, thermal, and avionics systems
• Develop vehicle-level requirements and verification strategic
• Ensure manufacturability and integration feasibility
• Get hands-on with prototyping, testing, and troubleshooting
• Build and test hardware alongside the team
• Create and maintain technical documentation personally
• Actively mentor and develop engineering team members

• BS in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field
• 8 years of spacecraft systems design experience
• 3 years technical leadership experience
• Strong understanding of spacecraft mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems
• Demonstrated ability to switch between hands-on work and strategic thinking
• Track record of taking ownership of complex technical challenges
• Experience building and testing hardware personally

Desired Experience

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience as a principal engineer in a fast-paced startup
• Direct experience with hypersonic vehicle or reentry systems

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $170,000 - $190,000 (based on qualifications)
• Early Team Equity
• Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage
• 401(k)
• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

About AdAstra

This position is a direct hire, permanent placement for a client of AdAstra.

AdAstra's mission is building thriving teams within NewSpace, Defense Tech and CleanTech organizations.

Our commitment is to curate and close premier talent for our partners, achieved via specialized technical screening, personalized culture assessment, and high-touch candidate engagement. We are motivated to foster boundless team satisfaction and catalyze innovation for future generations, enabling inconceivable technology from Earth, to the stars.