---
title: 'Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/spacecraft-systems-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-hawthorne-z0yf923bp59q'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-10-18'
---

# Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Quantum Space

- **Company:** Quantum Space
- **Location:** Rockville MD Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-05-01
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193147009

## 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 a highly technical and systems-minded Spacecraft Systems Engineer to serve as the technical owner across spacecraft development, from early mission architecture through flight delivery. In this role, you will lead spacecraft-level systems engineering activities, driving requirements development, interface management, design integration, and verification across propulsion, structures, avionics, software, guidance, navigation and control (GNC), and mission operations.

You will play a critical role in ensuring technical excellence throughout the spacecraft lifecycle while partnering closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program leadership, customers, and mission stakeholders. This position is ideal for an engineer who combines deep spacecraft systems expertise with strong technical leadership and a passion for building and flying innovative space vehicles.

Where You'll Make an Impact

- Own spacecraft-level technical execution across concept development, design, integration, test, and flight readiness
- Lead end-to-end system architecture, requirements development, interface management, and configuration across all spacecraft subsystems
- Conduct and lead system-level trade studies involving propulsion, power, mass properties, mission design, payload integration, and overall vehicle performance
- Serve as the primary technical interface with customers, government stakeholders, mission partners, and internal program leadership
- Lead major engineering reviews including System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), Critical Design Review (CDR), Test Readiness Review (TRR), and Flight Readiness Review (FRR)
- Develop and execute spacecraft verification and validation strategies for both flight hardware and software
- Support spacecraft assembly, integration, environmental testing, launch campaign activities, and mission readiness
- Collaborate across propulsion, avionics, structures, software, GNC, manufacturing, and mission operations teams to ensure successful system integration
- Mentor engineers while promoting technical rigor, rapid execution, and engineering best practices
- Support multiple spacecraft development efforts in a dynamic, fast-paced engineering environment
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen systems engineering processes, design methodologies, and technical standards

What It Takes

- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field (Master's degree preferred)
- 3–12 years of spacecraft systems engineering experience supporting flight or flight-like hardware
- Demonstrated experience owning spacecraft-level requirements, architecture development, subsystem integration, and technical execution
- Experience leading technical development through at least one major spacecraft design milestone (PDR or later)
- Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems including propulsion, structures, avionics, GNC, power, thermal, and software interfaces
- Experience developing system requirements, interface control documentation, verification plans, and technical baselines
- Ability to serve as a technical authority within a fast-paced spacecraft development environment
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, executive leadership, customers, and government stakeholders

Nice-to-Have Experience

- Experience serving as a Lead Systems Engineer or technical lead on a spacecraft development program
- Experience supporting U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), NASA, NRO, SDA, AFRL, or other national security space programs
- Deep technical background in spacecraft propulsion systems and high-delta-V mission design
- Hands-on experience supporting spacecraft integration, environmental testing, launch campaigns, and flight operations
- Familiarity with mission assurance, technical risk management, and systems engineering best practices
- Experience using requirements and configuration management tools such as Jama, DOORS, JIRA, and Confluence
- Working knowledge of CAD tools such as Creo or SolidWorks and multidisciplinary engineering principles across structural, thermal, and fluid systems
- Programming or mission analysis experience using Python, MATLAB, or similar engineering tools
- Active U.S. security clearance or ability to obtain one

## What You'll Get

- Ownership – Lead the technical development of advanced spacecraft from mission concept through launch and flight operations
- Innovation – Help develop next-generation spacecraft that redefine mobility and maneuverability in space
- Impact – Work on mission-critical programs supporting national security, civil, and commercial space customers
- Growth – Join a collaborative engineering team focused on rapid execution, technical excellence, and continuous innovation
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD; or Hawthorne, CA; or Denver, CO

Base Salary: $110,000 to $220,000

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

- [Accounting Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/accounting-manager-quantum-space-rockville-am48bcdwcm6x) — Rockville, MD
- [Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) / GRC Analyst](https://feeny.ai/job/information-systems-security-officer-isso-grc-analyst-quantum-space-rockville-wyz4v99ynpdh) — Rockville, MD
- [Reliability Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/reliability-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-hf6wn74hcyrs) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [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
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