Chief Engineer – Viper

About Gravitics

At Gravitics, we're not exploring space—we're building it. We're creating the infrastructure for a thriving space economy, enabling humanity to flourish beyond Earth. Our vision is bold, but we're not just dreamers; we're doers. We design and manufacture large-scale orbital structures that enable commercial operations while meeting the requirements of defense and government missions.

Our systems are built to scale and built to last—bridging commercial innovation with mission-critical performance. If you're ready to lay the foundations for a new era in space, embrace a culture of relentless learning and innovation, and contribute to a future where humanity's reach extends farther, Gravitics is the place for you. Let's build the future together.

About the Role

You will own the technical development of Viper OTX – our high-thrust, high delta-V, kick stage stored on orbit to enable responsive space solutions. This vehicle enables unique missions from intra-LEO to deep space, serving our commercial customers, the US, and its allies.

You will work across every engineering discipline and every aspect of the program—including manufacturing, integration & test, and mission operations—to ensure customer success. This role requires a highly effective technical leader with a broad range of knowledge, strong development experience, commitment to technical excellence, and pragmatic decision making.

Responsibilities:

• Lead technical and programmatic execution of a highly capable kick stage.
• Instill technical rigor in all we do while maintaining a sense of urgency to meet business goals.
• Own the successful delivery of a capable product.
• Evaluate new use cases and mission sets in conjunction with our other portfolio products and customers.
• Align vehicle roadmaps to manufacturing development efforts, broader portfolio capabilities, and business goals.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams and engage in the smallest detail.
• Recognize and fill technical skill gaps as necessary.
• Identify, preempt, and solve issues that threaten the program.
• Clearly communicate technical concepts and programmatic elements to your team, colleagues, executive leadership, and customers.
• Ensure mission success.

This is a mission-critical, multifaceted role to deliver a high-performance vehicle. Come join us if you thrive in challenging projects on short timelines with confidence to shape ambiguity into strong solutions.

About You

Successful candidates exude servant leadership. You can maintain the broadest program view while diving deep into the smallest technical detail with the team. You hold yourself to exacting standards and inspire others to do the same. You have an established track record of taking ownership and delivering results.

Required Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, or Software Engineering or similar.
• Demonstrated past ownership of complex projects.
• Ability to understand and drive from first principles.
• Deep understanding of several rocket vehicle disciplines.
• Familiarity with ground support systems.
• Comfort working in fast-paced environments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Successful candidates typically have 10-15 years of experience in launch vehicle and/or spacecraft development or operations.
• This role will support programs for U.S. Government customers, including national security and defense-related missions. Candidates must be willing to work on Civil, Commercial, and Defense-related projects.

Bonus Points For

• A proven history of success in launch vehicles or in-space propulsion systems.
• Prior experience working with Commercial, NASA, and DOD customers.
• Strong familiarity with SMC-S-016, SMC-S-025, and various qualification and protoqualification approaches.
• Experience with rocket vehicle materials and manufacturing processes.
• Prior involvement in rocket stage test or launch operations.
• Deep knowledge in any of the following:
• Mission / Trajectory design for GEO and Deep Space solution sets
• GNC considerations for high-thrust liquid stages
• Familiarity in design and handling of kerosene and high-test peroxide systems
• Combustion devices, turbo machinery, stage pressurization, valves and fluid components
• Willingness to travel up to 25% time to supplier, customer, test, and launch sites.