---
title: 'Software Systems Engineer III at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/software-systems-engineer-iii-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-pd2g9v09hk22'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Software Systems Engineer III at Quantum Space

- **Company:** Quantum Space
- **Location:** Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-06-04
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4271700009

## Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced and technically driven Software Systems Engineer III to lead the development of spacecraft software architectures, mission operations capabilities, and system-level engineering solutions for next-generation Ranger spacecraft. In this role, you will bridge software engineering and systems engineering disciplines, driving technical solutions from early concept development through spacecraft integration, mission execution, and on-orbit operations.

You will serve as a senior technical contributor responsible for software architecture, systems engineering, interface definition, verification, and deployment of advanced spacecraft software and mission systems. Working closely with flight software, ground software, autonomy, mission operations, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), communications, and spacecraft subsystem teams, you will help develop robust software architectures that enable reliable, autonomous, and mission-ready spacecraft operations. This position is ideal for an engineer who combines deep software expertise with strong systems engineering skills and enjoys leading multidisciplinary technical efforts across the full spacecraft lifecycle.

Where You'll Make an Impact

- Lead the architecture and design of spacecraft software and system-level solutions supporting Ranger spacecraft programs
- Develop and manage system requirements, interface definitions, technical baselines, verification plans, and traceability throughout the development lifecycle
- Define and manage interfaces between Flight Software (FSW), Ground Software (GSW), mission operations systems, and spacecraft hardware
- Collaborate across multidisciplinary engineering teams to ensure successful software integration, system validation, and mission execution
- Partner with experts across flight software, autonomy, mission operations, GNC, communications, avionics, and spacecraft systems to deliver integrated mission capabilities
- Support the development, integration, testing, deployment, and operational readiness of spacecraft software systems
- Conduct system architecture trade studies, technical assessments, and design analyses supporting program objectives
- Lead technical reviews, risk assessments, architecture evaluations, and engineering decision processes
- Support mission planning, concept of operations (ConOps) development, spacecraft operational readiness, and mission execution planning
- Mentor engineers while promoting systems engineering best practices, software quality, and technical excellence
- Support customer interactions, executive briefings, design reviews, and technical presentations
- Drive resolution of complex technical issues across software and spacecraft systems throughout the product lifecycle
- Contribute directly to software development, integration, and engineering activities as required
- Support continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen software architecture, systems engineering processes, and mission execution capabilities

What It Takes

- Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline
- 8+ years of relevant engineering experience, including software development for aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability systems
- Demonstrated experience developing and managing complex spacecraft or aerospace systems
- Experience developing Flight Software (FSW) and supporting spacecraft software architectures
- Experience designing large-scale software systems and distributed software architectures
- Experience managing interfaces between Flight Software (FSW), Ground Software (GSW), mission operations systems, and spacecraft hardware
- Strong understanding of systems engineering principles including requirements development, interface management, verification, validation, and configuration management
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical efforts across software and hardware engineering organizations
- Experience supporting spacecraft development, integration, testing, launch preparation, and/or mission operations
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, technical communication, and presentation skills
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across diverse technical disciplines
- Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, iterative spacecraft development environment

Nice-to-Have Experience

- Experience supporting spacecraft operations, mission operations systems, autonomy, navigation, or Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC)
- Experience developing autonomous spacecraft capabilities, autonomous mission execution concepts, or intelligent mission planning systems
- Experience with Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), autonomous navigation systems, orbital guidance, or propulsive maneuver planning
- Experience working within fast-paced aerospace, defense, or commercial space startup environments
- Advanced systems engineering experience including requirements management, interface control, and verification planning
- Experience applying AI-enabled software engineering tools, model-based engineering techniques, or automated development workflows
- Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams through rapid product development cycles
- Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems, spacecraft architectures, and vehicle-level systems integration

## What You'll Get

- Ownership – Lead the architecture, integration, and deployment of mission-critical spacecraft software and system-level capabilities
- Innovation – Help develop advanced autonomous spacecraft technologies, mission operations systems, and next-generation space infrastructure
- Impact – Deliver software and mission systems that enable national security, civil, and commercial space missions
- Growth – Work alongside experts in software, autonomy, mission operations, spacecraft systems, and flight programs while helping shape the future of Quantum Space engineering
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA/FSA options, 401(k) matching, and equity participation

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $160,000–$200,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full-time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

## About Quantum Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC)
- **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale.

## Products & Services
- **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures.
- **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence.
- **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available.
- **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator).
- **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits.
- **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration.
- **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology.
- **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures.
- **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran.

## Strategic Focus
- **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture.
- **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC.
- **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform.
- **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority.
- **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts.
- **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK).
- **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.
- **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations.

## Sources
1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/)
2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us)
4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/)
5. [Greenhouse Careers Page](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193183009)

## Other roles at Quantum Space

- [Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) / GRC Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/information-systems-security-officer-isso-grc-analyst-quantum-space-rockville-wyz4v99ynpdh) — Rockville, MD
- [Tier 2 IT Helpdesk Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/tier-2-it-helpdesk-technician-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-jr9f99rwzsqb) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Accounting Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/accounting-manager-quantum-space-rockville-et6azk4depam) — Rockville, MD
- [Test Conductor](https://feeny.ai/job/test-conductor-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-ca-or-denver-0fn7yejg76wk) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne CA OR Denver, CO
- [Senior FP&A / Program Controller](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-fp-a-program-controller-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-aebq0ng5bhdb) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Reliability Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/reliability-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-hf6wn74hcyrs) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Mechanical Technician I](https://feeny.ai/job/mechanical-technician-i-quantum-space-rockville-8dny1y8bdxv1) — Rockville, MD
- [Principal Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer-quantum-space-qa1t3bxv3k77) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Spacecraft Guidance, Navigation & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-guidance-navigation-control-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-zm632f2k9vyt) — Rockville, MD
- [Spacecraft GNC Integration & Test Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-gnc-integration-test-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-92f2jcrt0k65) — Rockville, MD