Head of Engineering

About the Role

Gravitics is looking for a Head of Engineering to own technical execution across one or more of our core hardware programs. You'll lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, and software from concept through design, build, integration, and test. This is a hands-on leadership role at a company where directors are still close to the hardware: you'll set technical direction, unblock your teams, and represent engineering to the executive team, customers, and government partners.

You'll report to the Chief Operating Officer and be a key member of the engineering leadership team as Gravitics scales from prototype to flight-qualified, repeatable hardware.

Responsibilities

• Own engineering execution for one or more major programs cost, schedule, technical performance, and quality from concept through delivery and flight
• Build, lead, and grow multidisciplinary teams spanning mechanical/structures, propulsion, avionics, and flight software
• Set technical strategy and make build-vs-buy, make-vs-partner, and architecture trade-off calls in a resource-constrained startup environment
• Establish and mature engineering processes (design reviews, requirements management, configuration control, verification & validation) appropriate for human-rated and government/defense hardware
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Test, Quality, and Program Management to move designs from CAD to flight article on aggressive timelines
• Represent engineering in customer and government program reviews
• Recruit, mentor, and retain top engineering talent; build the technical culture and hiring bar as the team scales
• Manage program risk, drive root-cause resolution on technical issues, and communicate status and trade-offs clearly to executive leadership

About You

Required Attributes

• 10+ years in aerospace/spacecraft engineering, with 4+ years in a people-leadership role (engineering manager, director, or equivalent)
• Track record shipping flight hardware spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, or comparable complex electromechanical systems - from design through integration and test
• Deep technical fluency across at least one core discipline (structures, mechanisms, propulsion, avionics, or GN&C/flight software) and working knowledge across the rest
• Experience standing up or scaling engineering processes at a growing hardware company (startup or program-start experience strongly preferred)
• Comfort operating with incomplete information and limited resources - this is a lean team building hard things fast
• Experience working government/defense contracts (SBIR/STTR, STRATFI, Space Force, or similar) is a strong plus
• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or related field (advanced degree a plus)
• U.S. Person status required due to government contract and ITAR/EAR requirements; ability to obtain a security clearance is a plus

Compensation and Benefits

Your level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the considerations of job-related knowledge and skills, education, and direct experience. Salary is just one component of the total employee package, which also includes company equity at an exciting time of company growth, as well as comprehensive medical, 401(k) retirement plan, a generous PTO policy, employee discounts, and more.