---
title: 'Head of Engineering at Gravitics, Inc'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/head-of-engineering-gravitics-inc-greater-denver-area-zm7jwg3bgkpm'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-16'
---

# Head of Engineering at Gravitics, Inc

- **Company:** Gravitics, Inc
- **Location:** Greater Denver Area
- **Compensation:** $200k–$275k
- **Posted:** 2026-10-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-16
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graviticsinc/jobs/4429975009

## Job description

## About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not just exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture the large-scale structures and systems that will power human and robotic activity in Earth orbit and beyond. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future, together.

## About the Role

Gravitics is looking for a Head of Engineering to own technical execution across one or more of our core hardware programs. You'll lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, and software from concept through design, build, integration, and test. This is a hands-on leadership role at a company where directors are still close to the hardware: you'll set technical direction, unblock your teams, and represent engineering to the executive team, customers, and government partners.

You'll report to the Chief Operating Officer and be a key member of the engineering leadership team as Gravitics scales from prototype to flight-qualified, repeatable hardware.

Responsibilities:

- Own engineering execution for one or more major programs cost, schedule, technical performance, and quality from concept through delivery and flight
- Build, lead, and grow multidisciplinary teams spanning mechanical/structures, propulsion, avionics, and flight software
- Set technical strategy and make build-vs-buy, make-vs-partner, and architecture trade-off calls in a resource-constrained startup environment
- Establish and mature engineering processes (design reviews, requirements management, configuration control, verification & validation) appropriate for human-rated and government/defense hardware
- Partner closely with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Program Management to move designs from CAD to flight article on aggressive timelines
- Represent engineering in customer and government program reviews
- Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent; build the technical culture and hiring bar as the team scales
- Manage program risk, drive root-cause resolution on technical issues, and communicate status and trade-offs clearly to executive leadership

## About You

Required Attributes

- 10+ years in aerospace/spacecraft engineering, with 4+ years in a people-leadership role (engineering manager, director, or equivalent)
- Track record shipping flight hardware spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, or comparable complex electromechanical systems — from design through integration and test
- Deep technical fluency across at least one core discipline (structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, or GN&C/flight software) and working knowledge across the rest
- Experience standing up or scaling engineering processes at a growing hardware company (startup or program-start experience strongly preferred)
- Comfort operating with incomplete information and limited resources — this is a lean team building hard things fast
- Experience working government/defense contracts (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI, Space Force, or similar) is a strong plus
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree a plus)
- U.S. Person status required due to government contract and ITAR/EAR requirements; ability to obtain a security clearance is a plus

## Compensation and Benefits

Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee discounts, and more.

## About Compliance

To conform to U.S. Government space technology 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. Gravitics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin or ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

Salary Range $200,000—$275,000 USD

## About Gravitics, Inc

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Gravitics develops modular, 4-meter diameter space station platforms, orbital carriers, and cargo/logistics systems for commercial, civil, and defense space infrastructure.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Grant-II stage; total disclosed funding ~$21.7M in equity/grants plus a $60M STRATFI contract from the U.S. Space Force)
- **Headquarters**: Seattle, Washington, USA (with a manufacturing facility in Marysville, WA)
- **Founded**: 2021
- **Founders**: Colin Doughan (Co-Founder & CEO), Michael Bowker (Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer), Jiral Shah (Co-Founder & Chief Architect)

## Core Business
- Primary industry: Aerospace & Defense (space infrastructure, orbital logistics, tactical responsiveness)
- Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense (Space Force, Missile Defense Agency), civil space agencies, commercial space station operators
- Mission: Expand human flourishing throughout the solar system by building scalable, modular space platforms that enable rapid, on-demand operations

## Products & Services
- **StarMax**: Pressurized commercial space station module (4m diameter) designed for crewed and cargo missions; supports space station buildout.
- **Orbital Carriers (Viper OTX, Medusa)**: Free-flying platforms that house and deploy multiple payloads or spacecraft on-orbit; enable tactically responsive space missions (under 12-hour call-up). Payload capacity ranges from 750–5,500 kg to MEO, GEO, and low lunar orbit.
- **Cargo & Logistics Modules**: Unpressurized and pressurized modules for transporting supplies, experiments, or defense payloads.
- **LTO Battery Systems**: High-power-density lithium-titanate oxide batteries for space applications (developed under SBIR contracts), offering >290 W/kg, 60k cycle life, and enhanced safety.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Total equity/grants raised ~$21.7M (latest round: Grant-II, per CB Insights); plus a $60M STRATFI award from the U.S. Space Force (2024) for orbital carrier demonstration
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Tim Draper, Nick Shekerdemian, Ryan Kriser (key investors); U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency (government partners); advisors include Sundeep Kumar
- **Growth Signals**: Awarded SHIELD IDIQ contract by Missile Defense Agency; selected for $60M STRATFI; multiple SBIR Phase II awards (2024); 40 employees and growing; first flight targets set for 2027–2028

## Competitive Advantages
- **Modular, shared form factor**: All products use the same 4m diameter design with common components, tooling, and operations – reducing cost and lead time.
- **On‑demand orbital capability**: Carriers can deliver payloads to any LEO/MEO/GEO orbit in under 12 hours, bypassing launch weather/range constraints – a unique defense differentiator.
- **Dual‑use technology**: Products serve both commercial space stations and military rapid-response needs, broadening market and funding sources.
- **Agile hardware development**: Culture of “fail fast, fail often” applied to physical manufacturing, enabling rapid iteration.

## Strategic Focus
- **Tactically Responsive Space**: Prioritizing orbital carriers for space mobility, emergency response, and missile defense under U.S. Space Force programs.
- **Commercial space station infrastructure**: StarMax modules target the growing market for private space stations (e.g., NET 2027 first flight).
- **Battery systems diversification**: LTO batteries for DoD and civil space applications as a secondary revenue stream.
- **Partnerships**: Seeking industry partners to scale manufacturing and integrate with launch providers.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Values autonomy, trust, and transparency (“no accountability without authority”); open sharing of financials and risks; emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- **Work environment**: Likely on‑site in Seattle/Marysville with a hands‑on hardware focus; “build the sky” mentality.
- **Benefits**: Generous paid family leave, comprehensive Cigna medical/dental/vision, 401k (non‑matched), equity grants, $50k employer‑paid life insurance, and a minimum PTO requirement (enforced to ensure rest).
- **Perks**: Employee assistance plan, voluntary supplemental insurance, and a culture that celebrates learning from failure.
- **Growth opportunity**: Small team (~40 people) with direct impact on next‑gen space infrastructure; early‑stage equity upside.

## Sources
1. [gravitics.com](https://www.gravitics.com/)
2. [gravitics.com/careers](https://www.gravitics.com/careers)
3. [gravitics.com/team](https://www.gravitics.com/team)
4. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/gravitics)
5. [sbir.gov](https://www.sbir.gov/portfolio/2450193)

## Other roles at Gravitics, Inc

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