---
title: 'Mission Manager at GITAI'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-manager-gitai-los-angeles-8czxp2neb21f'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-12'
---

# Mission Manager at GITAI

- **Company:** GITAI
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Compensation:** $140k–$185k
- **Posted:** 2026-07-30
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-12
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/gitai/jobs/5376000008

## Job description

## Who We Are

GITAI is a vertically integrated space and defense company building the next generation of hardware for low-Earth-orbit missions.

At our core is the space robotics technology that has defined GITAI from the beginning. A small, highly capable engineering team applies that foundation across satellite buses, in-orbit servicing robotics, and mission hardware for applications such as Earth observation. Today, a major focus of our work is supporting U.S. national security missions, particularly through proliferated LEO satellite constellations and other next-generation space systems.

We design, build, integrate, and test much of our hardware in-house. Electrical, mechanical, software, manufacturing, integration, and test teams work closely together, allowing a small team to own complete systems rather than isolated components. This vertical integration helps us move quickly, learn directly from hardware, and shorten the path from architecture to a working system.

We are still early. The systems, the company, and the market are all being built at the same time. Requirements change, technical problems are often ambiguous, and many answers do not yet exist. We are looking for exceptional engineers and operators who want broad ownership, can work across disciplines, and are willing to stay close to the hardware until the mission succeeds.

## Your Mission

As a Mission Manager, you will bring a strong mechanical or aerospace engineering background to a role that connects engineering, mission planning, and execution. Reporting to the VP of Program Management, you will work closely with GITAI's engineering teams, launch service providers, U.S. government customers, and mission partners to turn complex technical requirements into successful missions. You will use your engineering experience to understand spacecraft and payload constraints, identify risks early, challenge unrealistic assumptions, and drive decisions across teams. While Engineering Leads own the detailed design and technical execution, you will own the mission-level coordination, external interfaces, schedules, and readiness required to bring the hardware from development to flight. This is a hands-on individual contributor role with no direct reports. You will stay close to the hardware, work directly with engineers and external stakeholders, and take ownership of solving the problems that stand between a working system and a successful mission.

## Responsibilities

- Own end-to-end mission execution, from mission planning and spacecraft integration through testing, launch, and on-orbit operations, ensuring technical, schedule, and external requirements are met.
- Develop and maintain integrated mission plans, including engineering milestones, system integration, verification and validation, launch readiness, external deliverables, and critical dependencies.
- Work closely with mechanical, electrical, software, and systems engineering teams to understand technical challenges, identify risks, resolve cross-functional issues, and drive mission-level decisions.
- Lead spacecraft and payload integration activities with internal engineering teams, launch service providers, and mission partners, ensuring technical interfaces, requirements, and schedules remain aligned.
- Evaluate launch opportunities and mission architectures based on spacecraft capabilities, payload constraints, orbital requirements, integration complexity, schedule, cost, and mission risk.
- Coordinate mission readiness reviews, launch campaigns, and operational preparations, working with engineering teams and external partners to ensure hardware and mission systems are ready for flight.
- Support on-orbit mission operations, including operational planning, coordination between engineering and flight teams, anomaly resolution, and post-mission analysis.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for U.S. government customers, launch service providers, subcontractors, and other mission stakeholders, driving technical coordination and resolving external dependencies.
- Work with Engineering, Legal, Finance, Supply Chain, and Security to manage contractual commitments, regulatory requirements, government approvals, and other program dependencies.
- Identify and escalate mission-critical risks, challenge unrealistic requirements or commitments, and provide clear recommendations and status updates to program leadership.

## Qualifications

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- 5+ years of professional experience in the space industry, directly involved in the development, integration, testing, launch, or operation of spacecraft, satellites, launch vehicles, or spaceflight payloads.
- Hands-on engineering experience in the design, development, integration, or testing of mechanical, electromechanical, or aerospace hardware systems.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional engineering projects, coordinating technical teams, managing schedules and dependencies, and driving projects to completion.
- Strong technical understanding of complex hardware systems, with the ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, interface requirements, and test documentation.
- Ability to identify technical risks, challenge engineering assumptions, and work with engineers to resolve issues without being the primary design authority.
- Experience coordinating with external technical partners, customers, suppliers, or other stakeholders to resolve requirements, interfaces, and project dependencies.
- At least one year of full-time experience at a fast-moving startup or small technology company.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, iterative hardware development environment, making practical decisions with limited resources and incomplete information.
- U.S. citizenship and eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience executing launch campaigns at a launch service provider, rideshare aggregator, or payload integration company.
- Experience working with U.S. government customers, particularly the Department of Defense (DoD) or national security space programs.
- Familiarity with government contracts, regulatory requirements, export controls (ITAR/EAR), or classified programs.

Location and Position Type

- Torrance, CA / Full-time, Exempt
- This is a full-time onsite role based at GITAI’s office in Torrance, CA. This position requires working onsite five days per week. Remote or hybrid work is not expected for this role.
- Regular travel may be required based on program needs, including customer meetings, partner coordination, testing, integration, and launch activities.

## Compensation

The annual base salary range for this position is $140,000 to $185,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on relevant experience, demonstrated program-management capability, government and regulatory experience, and other job-related factors. This position is also eligible for stock options and company benefits.

## Benefits

- Comprehensive Healthcare: 100% paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, with 90% coverage for dependents, plus life insurance
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan with a company match
- Equity Opportunities: Stock options in a rapidly growing startup, giving you a stake in our success
- Relocation Support: Financial assistance for relocation is available for candidates residing outside the Los Angeles area
- Paid Time Off: 12 days of paid time off (PTO) and 12 company holidays annually
- Office Perks: Enjoy free snacks and drinks, plus regular social events to foster team spirit

GITAI does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing or recruiting agencies. We work only with recruiting partners that have been specifically engaged by GITAI. No fees will be paid for resumes submitted without a prior agreement.

Compensation may include base salary or hourly pay and, depending on the position, equity. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other job-related factors.

LA salary range $140,000—$185,000 USD

Important Notice

- Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
- To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), GITAI Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable.
- GITAI USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with GITAI USA is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

## About GITAI

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: GITAI is a space robotics startup developing robotic systems to provide safe and affordable labor for satellite servicing, lunar base construction, and other in-space operations.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Series B – V; total funding $129M)
- **Headquarters**: Torrance, California, United States (moved from Tokyo in October 2023)
- **Founded**: July 2016
- **Founders**: Sho Nakanose (CEO), Yuto Nakanishi (CRO/Chief Robotics Officer), Toyotaka Kozuki (CTO)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Space robotics, defense and space manufacturing, lunar and orbital infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Government space agencies (NASA, JAXA, U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency), commercial satellite operators, and lunar/mars development programs (B2G, B2B)
- **Mission**: To provide a safe and affordable means of labor in space, reducing operational costs by 100x and enabling humanity’s expansion beyond Earth

## Products & Services
- **S2 Dual Robotic Arm System**: A 1.5-meter-long autonomous robotic arm successfully demonstrated on the International Space Station (ISS) for both internal and external operations. [gitai.tech](https://gitai.tech/vision/)
- **Inchworm Robot**: A versatile robot designed for locomotion and manipulation in space environments. [gitai.tech](https://gitai.tech/)
- **Lunar Rover**: Robotic platform for lunar surface construction, mining, and habitat preparation. [gitai.tech](https://gitai.tech/)
- **Satellite Components & Platforms**: 16U satellite bus and robotic subsystems for on-orbit servicing and assembly. [cbinsights.com](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/gitai)
- **On-Orbit Services**: Robotic maintenance, refueling, and inspection for satellites and space stations. [gitai.tech](https://gitai.tech/)

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed
- **Key Metric**: Annual Revenue $2.5M (LinkedIn estimate); Total Funding $129.1M across 10 rounds
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Global Brain (lead Series B), SPARX Innovation for the Future, JIC Venture Growth Investments, Daiwa Corporate Investment, The Dai-ichi Life Insurance, EPSON X Investment, Skyland Ventures, Toyota Motor Corporation (joint R&D), JAXA, NASA (SBIR Phase I), DARPA (LunA-10), U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency (SHIELD IDIQ)
- **Growth Signals**: 
  - Relocated HQ to a facility 4x larger in Torrance (June 2024)
  - Established GITAI Defense and Space LLC (April 2025) to expand U.S. government contracting
  - Achieved AS9100 certification (May 2024)
  - Selected for NASA SBIR Phase I (June 2024)
  - Won DARPA LunA-10 project for lunar robotics (March 2025)
  - Completed space demonstration of in-house 16U satellite (January 2025)
  - Headcount grew 1.7% YoY to 32 employees

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proven in-space technology**: Only a handful of companies have demonstrated autonomous robotic arms outside the ISS; GITAI’s S2 completed a fully successful demonstration.
- **Deep government relationships**: Contracts with NASA, JAXA, DARPA, U.S. Space Force, and Missile Defense Agency provide credibility and recurring revenue.
- **Founding team pedigree**: CEO Sho Nakanose previously founded SCHAFT (bipedal robot startup acquired by Google); CRO Yuto Nakanishi and CTO Toyotaka Kozuki hold PhDs from University of Tokyo’s JSK Lab.
- **Vertically integrated hardware**: Develops both robotic systems and satellite platforms, controlling the full stack.

## Strategic Focus
- **Government and defense contracting**: The new subsidiary (GITAI Defense and Space LLC) targets U.S. military and intelligence programs.
- **Lunar infrastructure**: Preparing flight models for lunar manipulator and rover under JAXA and NASA contracts.
- **Scaling manufacturing**: AS9100 certification and new larger HQ signal readiness for production.
- **International expansion**: Dual presence in the U.S. and Japan allows access to both markets.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-driven culture**: Employees contribute directly to building the robotic workforce for lunar and Martian settlements.
- **Elite team**: Work alongside researchers from the University of Tokyo and former leaders from Google, NASA JPL, and successful startups.
- **Hands-on impact**: With only 32 employees, engineers have broad ownership from concept to flight hardware.
- **Diverse projects**: Work spans early concept development, lab prototypes, and operational robots on the ISS.
- **Office/hybrid policy**: Not explicitly stated; HQ in Torrance, CA with offices in Japan. Likely requires on-site for hardware development.
- **Employee ratings**: 3.1/5.0 on LinkedIn (9 reviews) – compensation rated highest (3.9), work-life balance lower (2.7).

## Sources
1. [gitai.tech](https://gitai.tech/)
2. [gitai.tech/careers](https://gitai.tech/careers/)
3. [gitai.tech/vision](https://gitai.tech/vision/)
4. [linkedin.com/company/gitai](https://www.linkedin.com/company/gitai)
5. [cbinsights.com/company/gitai](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/gitai)

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