GEARX-1: Chief Technical Officer/Sr. Systems Engineer Search
Co-Founder Sought: Chief Technical Officer/Sr. Systems Engineer
Company Overview: Gearx Aerospace, an innovative space exploration startup incubated by iterator.de, is dedicated to addressing the critical challenge of space debris and circularity in low-earth orbit. Our debut mission, GEARX-1, aims to characterize a series of 1m³ space debris targets while in close proximity to them, utilizing advanced optical payloads for debris characterization and LEO environment modeling. This mission will provide invaluable data to further our understanding of space debris interactions and inform future research and training efforts for debris removal. Our goal is to launch as soon as possible with our second mission GEARX-2 development (including a mechanical payload), hot on the heels of GEARX-1 launch.
Position Overview: As our CTO or potentially Sr. Systems Engineer, you will lead the integration and technical coordination of all subsystems for GEARX-1 and future missions. You will be responsible for ensuring that all system components function seamlessly together, from design through to verification and validation. This role involves close collaboration with various engineering teams to address technical challenges and ensure mission success. This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering team at the forefront of sustainable space and contribute to advancing extreme space technology and exploration.
Mission Objectives:
Characterize 1m³ space debris targets in close proximity to GEARX-1 using advanced optical payloads.
Gather data on the interaction between GEARX-1 and the space environment, including continuous observation of the degradation of the space sail during the journey home.
Use both datasets to further our understanding of space debris and its interaction with the space environment, and leverage this understanding to meaningfully act in the removal of space debris objects up to 1m³ in size.
Development Elements:
GEARX-1 satellite platform
GEARX-1 propulsion package
GEARX-1 optical payload for advanced debris characterization
GEARX-1 optical payload for LEO environment modeling and resource commercialization
GEARX-2 advanced communication and operations platform
GEARX-2 mechanical payload for debris manipulation and payload delivery/recovery
Responsibilities:
Lead the integration of all subsystems, ensuring compatibility and functionality.
Develop and maintain system-level requirements, design documentation, and verification plans.
Monitor and evaluate system performance throughout the project lifecycle, identifying and resolving technical issues.
Collaborate with other engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of the CPO module and secondary optical payload.
Contribute to risk assessment and mitigation strategies to ensure mission success.
Support the testing and validation of the spacecraft and its subsystems, ensuring adherence to project timelines and budgets.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in systems engineering within the aerospace industry, with a proven track record of successfully managing complex systems integration projects.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to address technical challenges effectively.
Expertise in systems engineering principles, including requirements management, system architecture, and verification and validation.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.
Passion for space exploration and a commitment to advancing technological frontiers.
Residence status and legal ability to work in Germany required.
Location: This position is based at our headquarters in Berlin, Germany, with occasional travel to other domestic and international locations as needed.
When: Starting earliest October 2024 and no later than February 2025.
Benefits:
If you share our vision, this is a real chance to build your dream from the ground up
Competitive salary and founder equity package
Statutory German health and income insurance
Statutory German pension plan
Flexible work schedule and generous paid time off
Opportunity to work on cutting-edge space missions with a world-class team of experts
How to Apply: If you are a dynamic and experienced leader with a passion for space exploration and a track record of success in mission operations, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and why you are interested in joining our founding project team.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
Join us on our mission to explore the cosmos and tackle the challenges of space debris head-on!
Contact: To apply directly, please use the link provided. We also invite you to join our community Discord and engage with us on X and LinkedIn.
Thank you for your support. Ad Astra!
