Engineering Manager II - Space Vehicle Mechanism Test - 20K Sign on Bonus

About the role

We are seeking a dedicated Functional Engineering Manager who recognizes that validating mission-critical flight hardware starts with supporting the people doing the work. In this role, you will balance technical stewardship with a people-first leadership philosophy. Your primary metric of success is not merely the speed of delivery, but the delivery of high-quality, well-vetted products achieved through high retention, psychological safety, and the continuous professional growth of your engineering team.

What You'll Do

• People Management (Primary Responsibilities): Career architecture, personal growth plans, technical mentorship alignment, and overall team health.
• Programmatic Execution (Secondary Focus): Lead or support program test execution, manage technical roadmaps, and ensure engineers have the necessary resources and sustainable workloads to meet the program's milestones.
• Scaling Note: Current role is 25% People Management and 75% Programmatic Execution. As the span of control increases, the primary success metric shifts toward team health and retention over direct programmatic execution. ~10 direct reports = 25/75 split, ~30 direct reports = 75 People Management/25 split.
• Functionally manage a team of approximately 10 Space Vehicle Mechanism Systems Test Engineers. Support personalized career advancement tracks, conduct performance reviews, and champion team wellness as the group grows.
• Cultivate an environment centered on psychological safety. Because flight hardware testing involves high-stakes anomalies, you will ensure the team feels empowered to pause testing, speak up, and collaborate openly.
• Partner with talent acquisition to source, interview, and onboard engineering talent, ensuring seamless integration into the company culture.
• Act as the technical touchpoint for Project Managers and Mission Leadership. Ensure projects progress in the right direction with the appropriate engineering resources and support the capture of new business.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the department, the Strategic Business Units, Strategic Capabilities Units and the Company. Interact appropriately with others in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• BS degree or higher in Engineering or a related technical field is required plus 10 or more years related experience. Each higher-level degree, i.e., Master's Degree or Ph.D., may substitute for two years of experience. Related technical experience may be considered in lieu of education. Degree must be from a university, college, or school which is accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education, US Department of Education.
• A current, active Top Secret/SCI security clearance is required.
• Domain Familiarity: Experience in an engineering or testing environment for high-reliability hardware (Aerospace, Space Systems, or Defense).
• Empathy-Driven Leadership: Exceptional emotional intelligence (EQ), active listening skills, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Career Pathing & Coaching: Proven ability to build career ladders, identify individual motivators, and guide engineers through professional milestones.
• Advocacy & Influence: Excellent communication skills to advocate for team health and bandwidth during demanding delivery schedules.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years of direct people management experience with a track record of coaching and leading technical talent.
• Experience in the testing of spacecraft mechanisms such as gimbals, motors, hinges, scan mirrors, and related components.
• Experience scaling engineering teams through periods of organizational growth.
• Previous experience as a practicing Test or Hardware Engineer.
• Experience implementing modern peer-mentorship programs or engineering competency frameworks.
• Familiarity with engineering performance management tools and continuous feedback frameworks.

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $149603 - $254317. Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Benefits

Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

On-Site Work Environment

This position requires regular in-person engagement by working on-site five days each normally scheduled week in the primary work location. Travel and local commute between company campuses and other possible non-company locations may be required.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office, laboratory, production floor, or cleanroom, outdoors or remote research environment. May occasionally work in production work centers where use of protective equipment and gear is required. May access other facilities in various weather conditions.