---
title: 'Senior Generative Spacecraft Engineer - all fields at Oligo Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-generative-spacecraft-engineer-all-fields-oligo-space-hawthorne-f9n3febqts9a'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-05'
---

# Senior Generative Spacecraft Engineer - all fields at Oligo Space

- **Company:** Oligo Space
- **Location:** Hawthorne, CA
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** onsite
- **Posted:** 2025-08-05
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-05
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/oligo/9a3c8905-73c3-483f-bd60-3fbb28473f7d

## 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.

## What You'll Do

As a Senior Generative Spacecraft Engineer, you'll own significant parts of the spacecraft and help bridge the communication amongst the mechanical and electrical subsystems. You will be responsible for leading the systems engineering effort across the full life-cycle of the spacecraft. Your responsibilities will include:

- Lead or support the design of spacecraft mechanical and electrical subsystems, including structures, harnessing, propulsion, avionics integration, and thermal management.
- Develop interface control documents (ICDs), system block diagrams, and subsystem level requirements,
- Assist with cable routing layouts and power distribution architectures.
- Participate in the selection and qualification of hardware components (e.g., connectors, fasteners, PCBs, motors, actuators).
- Support build and integration efforts, including assembly procedures, test campaigns (TVAC, vibration, EMI/EMC), and anomaly resolution.
- Collaborate across disciplines (GNC, power, software, mission design) to ensure seamless spacecraft integration.
- Contribute to reviews (PDR, CDR, TRR, etc.) and provide documentation that meets internal and external stakeholders' requirements.
- Work with suppliers to manage procurement and hardware delivery schedules.

## What You'll Bring

## Minimum Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
- 5+ years of experience in spacecraft or satellite system design, integration, or testing.
- Experience with full spacecraft development cycle (from concept to launch).
- Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) and electrical schematic capture tools (e.g., Altium, OrCAD).
- Understanding of mechanical design principles including tolerancing, fastener selection, and space-rated materials.
- Familiarity with electrical grounding, harness design, and power distribution concepts.
- Experience with software configuration management tools (e.g., Git, GitLab, Jira) and agile development methodologies.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
- Proven experience in documentation and structured communication amongst multi-disciplinary teams
- Ability to carry 40lbs sometimes.

## Preferred Skills and Experience

- Master’s degree in a related engineering field.
- Background in harness routing and 3D CAD for wire bundle design.
- Experience with environmental testing: TVAC, vibe, shock, or EMI/EMC.
- Knowledge of radiation effects on electronics and mitigation strategies.
- Hands-on experience in cleanroom environments and hardware integration.
- Familiarity with system engineering tools like JIRA, JAMA, or DOORS.
- Exposure to launch vehicle integration and mission readiness activities.
- Familiarity with various communication protocols (e.g., CCSDS, SpaceWire, CAN, SPI, Ethernet/IP, UART, I2C).
- Prior technical leadership or mentorship experience.
- Willingness to work extended hours or weekends when necessary to meet mission-critical deadlines.

Pay Range

- Salary range: $110,000 - $164,000 / per year.
- This role is on-site in Hawthorne, CA

## Benefits

- Equity
- Unlimited PTO
- Medical (Platinum coverage), Vision, & Dental Insurance
- Catering provided on-site everyday.

Additional Information You may be eligible for our suite of benefits including medical, vision & dental coverage.

## 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, CA
- [Chief Spacecraft Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/chief-spacecraft-engineer-oligo-space-hawthorne-9dcyz42nz5xa) — Hawthorne, CA
- [AI Space Systems Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/ai-space-systems-software-engineer-oligo-space-hawthorne-xvk9sky22b1r) — Hawthorne, CA