Katalyst Labs

Director of Engineering, Spacecraft

Broomfield, Colorado, United States · Director

Sponsorship not specified$195k-$260kDetected 22 days ago

LeadershipOrganizational Skills

About the role

Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story.
Katalyst Culture: Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding.
You'll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real.

Raise and maintain the bar on systems-level thinking and decision-making without slowing execution.
Build systems and structures for Katalyst's GEO program, establishing:
We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth.
By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.
Prior accountability for end-to-end spacecraft design, not limited to a single subsystem.
Direct ownership of at least one spacecraft mission through flight, including system integration, test, and launch support.

Hands-on technical leadership with the ability to engage deeply in system-level decisions.
Comfort operating in ambiguity while holding exceptionally high standards for technical excellence.
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
8+ years of spacecraft engineering experience, with at least 5 years owning system-level architecture.
Experience navigating at least one transition from:
Proven experience leading multiple engineering disciplines simultaneously.
Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst.
You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses.
You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
System-level diagrams and architectures that align teams around a shared technical vision.

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding.
We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it's harder.
You'll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best.
We are not building the trains.
We are building the machines that lay down the tracks.

This listing is sourced directly from Katalyst Labs's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.