Lead Engineer, Integration and Test Verified today
Lead Engineer, Integration and Test
Location: Playa Vista, California (in-person, five days per week)
About Outpost
Outpost is an orbital logistics company building reusable Earth-return vehicles. The CarryAll vehicle family returns payloads from 200 kilograms to 10 metric tons, lands within 10 meters of target, and can be refurbished and launched again.
The Role
You will own assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) for Outpost's return vehicles. This role leads test campaigns end to end from planning through flight readiness and leads a small team of engineers and technicians executing that work. You will partner closely with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to resolve cross-discipline issues, and help build the AI&T processes and tooling Outpost needs as it scales.
Responsibilities
- Own the integration and test strategy for the return vehicle, from component-level bring-up through full-vehicle qualification
- Lead a small team of engineers and technicians executing AI&T
- Develop and execute test procedures, including environmental and functional test campaigns
- Drive anomaly investigation and resolution during integration and test
- Coordinate with structures, avionics, propulsion, and software teams to resolve cross-discipline issues
- Own test documentation and support flight readiness reviews
- Help build and refine AI&T processes and tooling as the company scales
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- 6+ years of experience in spacecraft or launch vehicle integration and test
- Proven experience leading test campaigns from planning through flight readiness
- Strong understanding of environmental testing (vibration, thermal vacuum, acoustic)
- Experience developing test procedures, anomaly resolution, and test reporting
- Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor junior engineers and technicians
- Comfortable working hands-on in a machine shop/lab environment alongside leading strategy
Preferred Experience
- Experience with reusable or return vehicles specifically
- Experience with proof and acceptance test campaigns
- Program or test management experience
Compensation
- Annual salary: $160,000 to $220,000, based on experience and equity component
- Annual performance-based bonuses
- Meaningful equity in Outpost
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Short- and long-term disability coverage and life insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off plus 9 paid holidays
Requirements
You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a protected individual as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15, or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S.