---
title: 'Chief Spacecraft Engineer at Oligo Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/chief-spacecraft-engineer-oligo-space-hawthorne-9dcyz42nz5xa'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Chief Spacecraft Engineer at Oligo Space

- **Company:** Oligo Space
- **Location:** Hawthorne
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2026-07-02
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/oligo/14e3d245-5741-4e8a-b5df-c85ad9704dd8

## Job description

Oligo is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production worldwide. Our approach allows customers to focus entirely on their own technology and mission objectives, while we handle everything, from design and manufacturing to launch and operations. Leveraging cutting edge AI-driven generative design and automated manufacturing, our ex-MIT, Harvard, and NASA JPL team work to create the most advanced payload-specific spacecraft at scale in weeks over months.

With world‑class advisors on our board, and fresh funding from top investors like Lux Capital, we’re always on the lookout for exceptional builders, fast learners, and ambitious engineers. Whether your passion lies in spacecraft systems, avionics, ML/AI, or advanced manufacturing, you’ll be collaborating across disciplines on real missions that fly, perform in orbit, and scale internationally.

We pair world-class AI/ML talent with top-tier satellite engineers under one roof to reimagine how space systems are built, starting from first principles. No bureaucracy. No legacy thinking.

If you think you’re a fit, we are extremely excited to meet you. Chief Spacecraft Engineer

## About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Chief Spacecraft Engineer to lead the design, development, integration, testing, launch, and on-orbit operations of next-generation ESPA-class spacecraft. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the complete spacecraft lifecycle, from concept development through mission end-of-life. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with proven engineering leadership and program execution experience. You will lead a multidisciplinary team of talented engineers in a fast-paced environment focused on delivering high-performance spacecraft on aggressive schedules and budgets.

## Responsibilities

- Serve as the technical leader and chief engineer for custom ESPA-class satellite programs.
- Lead spacecraft architecture, design reviews, risk management, and technical decision-making.
- Oversee all phases of spacecraft development, including:
- Requirements definition
- System design and analysis
- Assembly, integration, and test (AI&T)
- Environmental qualification testing
- Launch integration
- Mission operations
- Manage and mentor a high-performing team of spacecraft, mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineers.
- Drive program execution to meet or exceed cost, schedule, performance, and delivery objectives.
- Interface with launch providers, government agencies, suppliers, and customers.
- Ensure compliance with applicable NASA, SpaceX, and industry standards.
- Lead anomaly investigations, root-cause analysis, and mission assurance activities.
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, accountability, innovation, and collaboration.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Physics, or related STEM field (Master's or PhD preferred).
- 3+ years of spacecraft engineering experience, including flight-proven spacecraft development.
- Experience in both established aerospace organizations and high-growth startup environments preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong technical project management experience with ownership of complex hardware programs.
- Proven track record of delivering spacecraft programs that exceed schedule, performance, and cost objectives.
- Working knowledge of NASA and SpaceX spacecraft requirements and launch integration processes.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Technical Expertise Strong working knowledge across the full spacecraft lifecycle, including:

- Spacecraft systems engineering
- Mechanical design and structures
- Electrical power systems
- Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS)
- RF communications and payload integration
- Environmental testing and qualification
- Ground systems and mission operations
- Assembly, Integration, and Test (AI&T)
- Harnessing and avionics integration
- Launch vehicle interfaces and ride-share missions

Leadership Attributes

- Inspires and motivates teams across all experience levels.
- Creates a positive, collaborative, and high-performance engineering culture.
- Balances strategic vision with hands-on execution.
- Thrives in fast-paced, resource-constrained environments.
- Demonstrates exceptional listening, communication, and decision-making skills.

Why Join Us? This is an opportunity to shape the future of space missions by leading the development of innovative spacecraft from concept through launch and operations. You will have direct influence on mission success, technical strategy, and the growth of a world-class engineering organization.

## About Oligo Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Oligo Space is building a manufacturing-in-the-loop foundation model to automate spacecraft design and production, delivering payload‑centered, flight‑ready platforms in under eight months.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Seed stage)
- **Headquarters**: Hawthorne, California, United States (also offices in Boston, MA and Cambridge, MA, with an additional location in Israel)
- **Founded**: 2022 (some sources list 2024; the company’s first grant was in February 2024)
- **Founders**: Jacob Rodriguez (Founder & CEO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industries**: Space Research and Technology, Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence
- **Target customers**: Payload developers, mission operators, government agencies, and commercial space companies (B2B / Enterprise)
- **Mission**: “Build the infrastructure that will power humanity’s expansion through the Solar System” by redefining spacecraft design as a space environmental engineering problem and automating the entire design‑to‑manufacturing pipeline.

## Products & Services
- **Zenith (Generative Design Engine)**: An AI‑powered software platform that takes mission and payload requirements as input and outputs an optimized spacecraft design, including geometry, constraints, and physics‑based optimization. Type: SaaS / API.
- **Epoch (Mission Operations Platform)**: AI/ML models for anomaly detection, generative design, and mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. Type: SaaS / API.
- **Payload Hosting Services**: Shared and dedicated ESPA‑class spacecraft platforms delivered in less than 8 months, with availability for June 2026 and June 2027 launches. Type: Service / Hardware.
- **Manufacturing‑in‑the‑Loop Foundation Model**: Proprietary AI that captures aerospace expertise and automates production instructions, enabling quotes within one business day. Type: Technology / Platform.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly available (total funding is $100K)
- **Key Metric (Funding)**: Total funding of $100,000 across two rounds – a $100K grant (Feb 2024) from Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, and a Seed round (Jun 2025) led by Kakao Ventures (3 investors).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Kakao Ventures (lead investor), Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (grant provider); partnerships include Melagen Labs for in‑space demonstration (Spacedock mission, Q2 2026).
- **Growth Signals**: 325% year‑over‑year employee growth (from 5 to 18 people); 1,017 LinkedIn followers (+155% YoY); multiple open roles across engineering, software, and leadership; first in‑space demonstration planned for Q2 2026.

## Competitive Advantages
- **AI‑First, Manufacturing‑in‑the‑Loop**: Unlike traditional aerospace companies, Oligo uses a foundation model that learns from manufacturing feedback, enabling rapid iteration and automated design.
- **Payload‑Centric Approach**: The entire spacecraft is optimized for the payload, shifting complexity from the satellite bus to the mission itself.
- **Speed**: Quotation in 1 business day and full design in minutes; integrated, launched, and mission‑ready in under 8 months.
- **Modular First‑Principles System**: Captures decades of aerospace expertise in a modular, physics‑based system that can be applied across the solar system.

## Strategic Focus
- **Scaling the Foundation Model**: Expanding the AI model to handle more mission types and environments.
- **First In‑Space Demonstration**: The Spacedock mission with Melagen Labs in Q2 2026 is a critical milestone to validate the approach.
- **Talent Acquisition**: Actively hiring across all disciplines (ML/AI, avionics, mechanical, flight software, ATLO, business engineering) to support rapid growth.
- **Global Expansion**: Offices in the US (Hawthorne, Boston, Cambridge) and Israel, with plans to serve customers worldwide.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: “Exceptional builders, fast learners, and ambitious engineers” – the team comes from top institutions (MIT, NASA JPL, The Aerospace Corporation, Rocket Lab) and values hands‑on prototyping and rapid iteration.
- **Work Policy**: Hybrid workspace – employees engage in a combination of remote and on‑site work; typical on‑site presence in Hawthorne, CA or Israel offices.
- **Perks & Environment**: Cutting‑edge problems at the intersection of AI and space hardware; opportunity to work on real missions from design through launch; flat structure with high ownership.
- **Engineering Culture**: Emphasis on deep learning, simulation, and real‑world space systems; space experience is a plus but not required – the company values strong generalist engineering skills.

## Sources
1. [Oligo Space Website](https://www.oligospace.com)
2. [Oligo Careers Page (Ashby)](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/oligo)
3. [Built In – Oligo Company Profile](https://builtin.com/company/oligo)
4. [LinkedIn – Oligo Space](https://www.linkedin.com/company/oligo-space)
5. [Oligo Space Contact Page](https://www.oligospace.com/contact)

## Other roles at Oligo Space

- [Senior AI Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-ai-engineer-oligo-space-hawthorne-f42186p5qzm7) — Hawthorne
- [Technical Strategy & Business Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-strategy-business-engineer-oligo-space-hawthorne-pw4kkh0z92qj) — Hawthorne
- [Spacecraft Engineer Intern (Mechanical)](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-engineer-intern-mechanical-oligo-space-hawthorne-veaj2zcp1knw) — Hawthorne
- [Spacecraft Engineer Intern (Flight Software)](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-engineer-intern-flight-software-oligo-space-hawthorne-z0k2s0348s5s) — Hawthorne
- [Manufacturing Engineer - Mechanical](https://feeny.ai/job/manufacturing-engineer-mechanical-oligo-space-hawthorne-vf8hq00326kt) — Hawthorne
- [Generative Spacecraft Engineer - Electrical](https://feeny.ai/job/generative-spacecraft-engineer-electrical-oligo-space-hawthorne-z5npm59g5y6r) — Hawthorne
- [ML/AI/CS Intern](https://feeny.ai/job/ml-ai-cs-intern-oligo-space-hawthorne-74403sy2nnm6) — Hawthorne
- [Generative Spacecraft Engineer - Mechanical](https://feeny.ai/job/generative-spacecraft-engineer-mechanical-oligo-space-hawthorne-xbbfz3rwhbkd) — Hawthorne
- [Generative Spacecraft Engineer - Systems](https://feeny.ai/job/generative-spacecraft-engineer-systems-oligo-space-hawthorne-m2p118a9j799) — Hawthorne
- [Spacecraft Engineer Intern - all fields](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-engineer-intern-all-fields-oligo-space-hawthorne-3dvnx7xt3rqv) — Hawthorne