{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"6d02b1c6311d0c47e9daa849","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6d02b1c6311d0c47e9daa849","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6d02b1c6311d0c47e9daa849","title":"Space Systems Lead","description":"Job details\nEngineering\nPhoenix , San Francisco Bay Area\nFull-time\n$160,000 USD - $200,000 USD\nRole\nLead the development of Azora's space segment: the flight terminals and supporting avionics that carry our optical communications technology to orbit. You will own the space system architecture, requirements, and verification program – and build and lead the multidisciplinary team taking flight hardware from concept through launch and on-orbit commissioning.\nResponsibilities\nOwn end-to-end space segment architecture: optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.\nLead requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem and component specifications.\nDrive the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC, radiation).\nManage technical interfaces with launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development and negotiation.\nBuild and lead the space systems team: systems engineers, AIT engineers, and technicians; establish processes proportionate to a startup (tailored ECSS/NASA standards, not bureaucracy).\nOwn risk management, parts and materials assurance strategy (EEE parts, radiation lot testing), and reliability analysis for the flight program.\nPlan and lead assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns and launch site operations; oversee on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.\nSupport business development with technical input to proposals, customer engagements, and program schedules/costing.\nRequired Qualifications\nBS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.\n8+ years in spacecraft or space payload development, with at least one program taken through full qualification and launch.\nStrong systems engineering foundation: requirements management, budgets (mass, power, link, pointing), V&V planning, and risk management.\nDirect experience with environmental qualification and AIT of flight hardware.\nDemonstrated technical leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.\nPreferred\nExperience with optical payloads, laser communication terminals, or precision pointing systems in space.\nFamiliarity with smallsat/NewSpace development models and hosted payload integration.\nKnowledge of radiation effects and mitigation for electronics and optics.\nExperience interfacing with government customers and programs (NASA, ESA, DoD/SDA) and associated review processes.\nPrior startup or small-team experience scaling engineering processes.\nLocation\nThis is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.\nBenefits:\nGenerous equity\nCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)\n401(k)\nUnlimited PTO\nEEO & Reasonable Accommodations\nAzora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.\nIf you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting info@azora.space\nExport Control\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\nSalary ranges are based on the following criteria:\nFinal salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.\nAbout this Company\nAzora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.","company":"Azora","rawCompany":"azora","city":"Phoenix","state":"AZ","isRemote":false,"isActive":false,"createdAt":"2026-08-13T14:16:42.691Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2011.00","title":"Aerospace Engineers","slug":"aerospace-engineers"},{"code":"11-9041.00","title":"Architectural and Engineering Managers","slug":"architectural-and-engineering-managers"},{"code":"17-2072.00","title":"Electronics Engineers, Except Computer","slug":"electronics-engineers-except-computer"}],"industries":[{"code":"927110","title":"Space Research and Technology","slug":"space-research-and-technology"},{"code":"336414","title":"Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing","slug":"guided-missile-and-space-vehicle-manufacturing"},{"code":"334511","title":"Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing","slug":"search-detection-navigation-guidance-aeronautical-and-nautical-system-and-instrument-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Space Systems Lead","description":"Job details\nEngineering\nPhoenix , San Francisco Bay Area\nFull-time\n$160,000 USD - $200,000 USD\nRole\nLead the development of Azora's space segment: the flight terminals and supporting avionics that carry our optical communications technology to orbit. You will own the space system architecture, requirements, and verification program – and build and lead the multidisciplinary team taking flight hardware from concept through launch and on-orbit commissioning.\nResponsibilities\nOwn end-to-end space segment architecture: optical terminal, avionics, structures, thermal, power, and interfaces to host spacecraft or bus.\nLead requirements development and flow-down from mission and link-budget level to subsystem and component specifications.\nDrive the design review cadence (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR) and the verification and validation program, including environmental qualification (vibration, shock, TVAC, EMC, radiation).\nManage technical interfaces with launch providers, bus manufacturers, and hosted payload partners, including ICD development and negotiation.\nBuild and lead the space systems team: systems engineers, AIT engineers, and technicians; establish processes proportionate to a startup (tailored ECSS/NASA standards, not bureaucracy).\nOwn risk management, parts and materials assurance strategy (EEE parts, radiation lot testing), and reliability analysis for the flight program.\nPlan and lead assembly, integration, and test (AIT) campaigns and launch site operations; oversee on-orbit commissioning and anomaly resolution.\nSupport business development with technical input to proposals, customer engagements, and program schedules/costing.\nRequired Qualifications\nBS/MS in Aerospace, Electrical, Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.\n8+ years in spacecraft or space payload development, with at least one program taken through full qualification and launch.\nStrong systems engineering foundation: requirements management, budgets (mass, power, link, pointing), V&V planning, and risk management.\nDirect experience with environmental qualification and AIT of flight hardware.\nDemonstrated technical leadership of multidisciplinary engineering teams.\nPreferred\nExperience with optical payloads, laser communication terminals, or precision pointing systems in space.\nFamiliarity with smallsat/NewSpace development models and hosted payload integration.\nKnowledge of radiation effects and mitigation for electronics and optics.\nExperience interfacing with government customers and programs (NASA, ESA, DoD/SDA) and associated review processes.\nPrior startup or small-team experience scaling engineering processes.\nLocation\nThis is an onsite/hybrid role based in Tempe, AZ or the Bay Area, CA – hardware work that’s hard to do remotely. Some travel expected for field deployment and vendor/manufacturing visits.\nBenefits:\nGenerous equity\nCompetitive healthcare (including options for vision and dental)\n401(k)\nUnlimited PTO\nEEO & Reasonable Accommodations\nAzora is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.\nIf you need a reasonable accommodation as part of your application for employment or interviews with us, please let us know by contacting info@azora.space\nExport Control\nTo conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (iii) protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.\nSalary ranges are based on the following criteria:\nFinal salary is based on geographic location, experience, skills, and qualifications.\nAbout this Company\nAzora is building high-bandwidth communications infrastructure for environments where fiber can’t reach. This work spans LEO spacecraft constellations, lunar exploration missions, GEO satcom, deployable optical ground for defense, and data centers both on- and off-world. To enable rapid global proliferation Azora is developing compact and modular optical terminals small enough to deploy from a backpack, and space terminals that support high speed optical links from LEO out to the Moon.","datePosted":"2026-08-13T14:16:42.691Z","dateModified":"2026-08-13T14:16:42.691Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Azora","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Phoenix","addressRegion":"AZ","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"6d02b1c6311d0c47e9daa849"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/6d02b1c6311d0c47e9daa849"}}