Associate Spacecraft Engineer

BlackVe, Inc.

About the Role

The Associate Spacecraft Engineer is an entry-level engineering position responsible for supporting the design, development, integration, testing, launch, and operation of spacecraft systems and missions. This role provides an opportunity for early-career engineers to contribute to innovative space programs while working alongside experienced multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, analysis, development, integration, and testing of spacecraft and spacecraft subsystems.
• Assist in the development and verification of spacecraft requirements, specifications, and interface documentation.
• Participate in system architecture trades, technical reviews, and design evaluations.
• Perform engineering analyses related to spacecraft design.
• Support spacecraft assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) activities.
• Contribute to mission planning, operational procedures, and anomaly resolution efforts.
• Develop technical reports, test procedures, engineering documentation, and presentations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and external partners to support program objectives.
• Assist in troubleshooting hardware, software, and system-level issues during development and mission operations.
• Support compliance with applicable industry standards, quality requirements, and mission assurance processes.
• Execute engineering tasks under the guidance of senior engineers and technical leads.
• Analyze test results and engineering data to identify trends, issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in spacecraft subsystem integration and verification activities.
• Support preparation and execution of environmental, functional, and performance testing.
• Develop and maintain engineering models, calculations, and analyses using industry-standard tools.
• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution activities.
• Attend and participate in technical meetings, design reviews, and customer briefings.
• Communicate technical concepts and findings clearly through written reports and verbal presentations.
• Maintain configuration control and documentation accuracy throughout the product lifecycle.
• Adhere to safety, security, and quality assurance procedures.
• Support engineering decisions with sound analytical evidence anchored in first principles.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, personal ownership, accountability, and self-learning.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 0 to 5 years of relevant engineering experience through employment, internships, cooperative education programs, research projects, or academic coursework.
• Fundamental understanding of spacecraft systems, aerospace engineering principles, or complex electromechanical systems.
• Knowledge of engineering analysis, design, and problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience using engineering software tools relevant to the candidate's discipline.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and critical-thinking skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary technical teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active Secret, Top Secret, L or Q Security Clearance.
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, such as attitude determination and control, avionics, propulsion, communications, power, thermal management, and flight software.
• Experience applying systems engineering principles within cost- and schedule-constrained development programs.
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools and methodologies.
• Experience developing and maintaining mass, power, link, thermal, or other spacecraft system budgets.
• Familiarity with systems engineering processes, requirements management, and verification planning.
• Experience supporting environmental qualification, launch readiness, and on-orbit operations.
• Experience with CAD, modeling and simulation tools, MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or similar engineering software.
• Exposure to mission operations, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, or ground systems.
• Knowledge of industry standards and practices applicable to spacecraft development.
• Participation in university design teams, CubeSat programs, rocketry programs, robotics competitions, or other hands-on space-related engineering projects.

Work Location

• Albuquerque, NM.
• This is a fully on-site position.
• Occasional travel to other company locations or partner facilities as needed.

Clearance & Citizenship

• U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a clearance.
• Must have the ability to qualify and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• This position may include access to technology and/or data that is subject to U.S. export controls pursuant to ITAR and EAR.