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AdAstra Talent Advisors · 2 weeks ago

Director Of Space Systems

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Director/Executive

$175K/yr - $225K/yr

10+ years exp

AdAstra Talent Advisors is a fast-growing aerospace organization developing the next generation of commercial space systems. The Director of Space Systems will lead a major U.S.-based payload initiative, overseeing the adaptation of a flight-proven sensing payload into a modular product for spacecraft platforms.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, build, environmental test, integration, and launch readiness of advanced spacecraft and sensing payload systems, ensuring mission success end-to-end

Manage multidisciplinary teams across hardware, software, RF, avionics, mechanical, and AI/ML domains

Define and drive the roadmap for modular payload productization, including host-agnostic architectures and Payload-as-a-Service capabilities

Oversee system architecture, interface definition, mission formulation, performance trades, and payload integration with partner spacecraft (microsats, ESPA-class, and other host buses)

Guide the decoupling of tightly integrated flight software, power, thermal, mechanical, and RF interfaces to enable scalable productization

Own the on-orbit commissioning process, validating payload performance and ensuring mission readiness for 2027 and beyond

Drive reliability, manufacturability, and repeatability across the payload hardware lifecycle to support commercial-scale deployment. Align engineering execution with organizational strategy, customer mission needs, and timelines tied to active launch opportunities

Build and sustain a culture of accountability, innovation, rapid iteration, and technical

Qualification

Spacecraft systems developmentRF systems expertiseSystems engineeringTechnical program managementPayload integrationEnvironmental testingCross-functional team leadershipAI/ML applicationsAdvanced degreeExport control knowledge

Required

10+ years of experience developing spacecraft or satellite systems, including work on advanced spaceborne subsystems or payloads, with at least 3 years in a leadership role

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field

Proven expertise in RF systems, payloads, radar, or related mission technologies

Strong foundation in systems engineering, interface definition, and complex multi-disciplinary technical program management

Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams through design, build, test, and flight operations

Eligibility to obtain a security clearance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by ITAR (22 CFR §120.15), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Preferred

Experience developing RF payloads, SAR systems, or electronically steered phased array architectures

Experience modularizing or productizing flight hardware previously built as an integrated system

Track record of turning complex spacecraft technologies into commercial or dual-use products

Experience working in startup or high-growth aerospace environments with rapid decision and development cycles

Familiarity with AI/ML applications in onboard autonomy, advanced imaging, or high-rate data processing

Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering, Remote Sensing, Physics, or a related discipline

Knowledge of export control, licensing, and international collaboration frameworks relevant to space and sensing systems

Experience leading environmental and qualification test campaigns (thermal vacuum, vibration, EMI/EMC)

Background integrating payloads with external spacecraft providers (e.g., commercial bus partners, defense primes, or new-space manufacturers)

Background integrating payloads or complex subsystems with external spacecraft providers (e.g., commercial bus partners, defense primes, or new-space manufacturers)