Satellite Assembly Integration & Test Lead

About Us

Space Machines Company (SMC) is transforming the future of space operations with a bold mission: to deliver Roadside Assistance in Space.

As orbit becomes more congested and contested, we act as the "first responders" protecting the satellites that power life on Earth—from communications to navigation. Partnering with both commercial operators and government agencies, we're strengthening space resilience and enabling the growth of a sustainable space economy.

We're building this critical capability through hyperscale spacecraft manufacturing—delivering Optimus Viper spacecraft at mass-production economics with rapid-response capability.

The future of space is one where satellites are monitored, maintained, and protected in orbit. At SMC, we're making that future real.

Why Join Us

We're a start-up — things move fast, resources are lean, and we're building as we go.

What we offer is opportunity: to learn at speed, grow with the company, and leave your fingerprints on something that's never been done before. At Space Machines Company, engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers join forces to push the limits of what's possible.

If you want to build technology designed to protect and power humanity's future in space — and see your work make a visible impact — this is where you'll do it.

How We Work

We are builders first.

We approach every challenge through a cycle of design, build, test, and refine — making ideas real, learning from results, and improving with each iteration.

We challenge assumptions to make sure we're solving the right problems, and we strengthen our solutions through collaboration and feedback.

We use process where it adds value and set it aside where it slows us down. There are a lot of firsts here, and we meet them with curiosity and courage.

We win as one team.

As our Satellite Assembly Integration & Test Lead, you are responsible for overseeing the entire lifecycle of a satellite's physical construction and testing, from initial integration of components to final validation before launch. This leadership role involves managing a multidisciplinary team, planning and executing comprehensive test programs, ensuring compliance with specifications, resolving technical issues, and communicating progress and risks to management and stakeholders. The Lead must have strong technical expertise in mechanical and electrical systems, excellent leadership and communication skills.

In this role, you own outcomes from end to end, including:

Process & Operations Management: Develop and optimize AI&T processes, work instructions, and test plans for subassemblies, modules, and the complete spacecraft. 

Team Leadership: Lead and manage AI&T technicians and engineers, providing technical guidance, mentoring, and performance feedback, 

Overseeing daily activities: Ensure adherence to safety and quality protocols. 

Planning & Scheduling: Develop and maintain AI&T plans, schedules, and work breakdowns, coordinating resources such as personnel, equipment, and facilities and tracking progress and identifying bottlenecks. 

Test Execution & Anomaly Resolution: Oversee and participate in the execution of environmental, functional, electrical, and mechanical tests; analyze test results, provide detailed reports, and implement corrective actions for any anomalies.  Develop test scripts and test plans.

Reporting Non-Conformances: Report non-conformances 

Design for Manufacture Feedback: Provide feedback to the satellite designer engineers of potential improvements to the design for manufacture and assemble.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with design engineers, program managers, mission assurance, supply chain, and other stakeholders to ensure seamless integration and timely delivery. 

Documentation: Generate and manage AI&T documentation, including detailed assembly and test procedures, from initial planning to as-built reports. 

Resource Management: Manage the availability and utilization of test facilities, equipment, and specialized tooling (e.g., thermal vacuum chambers, vibration tables). 

About You

You'll thrive in this role if you bring:

A builder's mindset — turning ideas and theory into working systems through hands-on development, simulation, and testing.

An iterative approach — designing, building, testing, learning, and improving with each cycle. Comfortable with weekly integration cadence and rapid validation of new algorithms.

Collaboration and curiosity — working across disciplines and exploring beyond your own expertise. Exploring beyond your own expertise to solve novel problems in novel ways.

Adaptability and ownership — thriving in a fast-scaling, evolving environment where requirements emerge from building. Driving outcomes end to end without waiting for perfect specifications

Proven experience:

• 5+ years in spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AIT) or closely related systems engineering disciplines, delivering complex space systems with a strong focus on quality, reliability, and continuous improvement. 
• A degree or diploma in Engineering or equivalent, preferably in Aerospace Engineering
• Experience writing test plans and test scripts.
• Experience managing, leading and coaching teams.

Bonus experience:

• Space systems or aerospace program management experience
• Experience with rapid iteration methodologies in hardware-focused environments
• Startup experience with fast-paced development cycles and resource constraints

What You Actually Get

You won't get rich quickly. But you'll get:

Competitive salary – Fair pay for hard work. Commensurate with experience and the impact you'll have.

Meaningful equity (ESOP) – Real ownership stake. Stock options that matter because you're joining early enough for them to matter. If we win, you win.

Actual leave – Annual leave plus personal/sick days. Because even warriors need to recover.

Public holidays – All of them.

And freedom. Real freedom to build, decide, and move without waiting for permission. That's not a benefit you'll find in a package description, but it's worth more than most perks on this list.