---
title: 'Senior Systems Engineer at Gravitics, Inc'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/senior-systems-engineer-gravitics-inc-seattle-9reshssh4ts4'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Senior Systems Engineer at Gravitics, Inc

- **Company:** Gravitics, Inc
- **Location:** Seattle, WA
- **Compensation:** $140k–$170k
- **Posted:** 2026-05-27
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/graviticsinc/jobs/4260611009

## Job description

Senior Systems Engineer

Location: Gravitics – Seattle WA, Colorado, (with future travel/support to other company locations as required) Department: Engineering Reports To: Head of Engineering

## About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not 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 large-scale orbital structures that enable commercial operations while meeting the requirements of defense and government missions.

Our systems are built to scale and built to last—bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical performance. 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

We are seeking a highly capable Systems Engineer to support technical execution of the commercial spacecraft program from architecture development through qualification, integration, test, launch, and mission operations. This role sits at the center of the program and works directly with Chief Engineers, subsystem leads, Program Management, Manufacturing, Integration & Test, Mission Assurance, and suppliers to ensure the spacecraft functions as an integrated system — not just a collection of subsystems. The ideal candidate is technically broad, execution-focused, comfortable in ambiguity, and able to balance engineering rigor with program realities including schedule, manufacturability, integration flow, and risk. This position will support development of human-rated spacecraft systems and therefore requires strong systems thinking, configuration discipline, verification planning, and cross-functional leadership.

## Responsibilities

- Support development and management of spacecraft system architecture, requirements, interfaces, and verification approaches for the program
- Translate mission and program objectives into clear subsystem and vehicle-level technical requirements
- Develop and maintain system specifications, interface control documents (ICDs), CONOPS, verification matrices, and technical baselines
- Drive technical integration across:
- Structures and mechanisms
- Pressure systems
- Propulsion systems
- Avionics and software
- Thermal systems
- ECLSS / crew environment considerations
- Docking and payload interfaces
- Ground systems and GSE
- Support program technical reviews including:
- SRR
- PDR
- CDR
- TRR
- FRR
- Coordinate system-level trades balancing:
- Performance
- Mass
- Safety
- Reliability
- Manufacturability
- Testability
- Schedule and cost impacts
- Work closely with Manufacturing and Integration & Test teams to ensure designs are producible, inspectable, and verifiable
- Support development of system verification and validation plans including qualification, acceptance, protoflight, and integrated vehicle testing
- Participate in anomaly resolution, failure investigations, and risk reduction activities
- Support hazard analysis, FMEA/FDIR activities, and human-rating related assessments
- Ensure configuration control and technical baseline integrity throughout the program lifecycle
- Interface with customers, suppliers, and partner organizations as required
- Help drive closure of technical issues rather than simply tracking them

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline
- 5+ years of experience in aerospace systems engineering or integrated vehicle development
- Experience working on spacecraft, launch vehicle, aviation, defense, or other complex multidisciplinary systems
- Strong understanding of systems engineering processes including:
- Requirements development
- Interface management
- Verification and validation
- Configuration management
- Technical risk management
- Experience supporting technical reviews and hardware development programs
- Ability to operate across multiple engineering disciplines and communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced development environment with evolving priorities

## Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with human-rated spacecraft or crewed systems
- Experience supporting pressure vessels, propulsion systems, docking systems, or orbital vehicle integration
- Familiarity with NASA standards and spaceflight development processes
- Experience with MBSE tools, requirements management tools, or digital engineering environments
- Hands-on integration, test, manufacturing, or operations experience
- Experience supporting qualification and environmental test campaigns
- Familiarity with spaceflight safety and mission assurance processes

What Success Looks Like

- Technical issues are identified early and driven to closure
- Vehicle interfaces are clearly defined and controlled
- Subsystems integrate cleanly into a functioning spacecraft
- Verification activities are planned before hardware arrives at test
- Engineering decisions consider program execution realities, not just ideal technical solutions
- The program moves forward with increasing technical maturity and reduced integration risk

## 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 $140,000—$170,000 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)

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