Lead Systems Engineer (Reentry)

iO Associates are partnered with an innovative European spaceflight company developing a next-generation re-entry capsule programme.

As the business enters a critical phase of growth, they are looking to appoint a Lead Systems Engineer to act as the senior technical authority across the programme, providing systems leadership, coordinating engineering teams, and ensuring development activities remain technically and commercially aligned.

This is a unique opportunity to join a small but ambitious team working on one of Europe’s emerging re-entry vehicle programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping both the technical direction of the vehicle and the future structure of the engineering organisation.

The Opportunity

Working directly alongside the CEO and engineering leadership team, you will take ownership of the overall system architecture and integration strategy for the company’s re-entry vehicle programme.

Rather than focusing solely on requirements management, this role requires someone who can operate at both strategic and hands-on levels; guiding technical decision-making, challenging assumptions, mentoring engineering leads, and helping the business mature its engineering capability as it scales.

You will act as the focal point between multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring subsystem development remains aligned with the wider vehicle architecture and programme objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the overall system architecture and technical development strategy for a next-generation re-entry vehicle.
• Define and manage system requirements, interfaces, verification activities and integration plans.
• Coordinate engineering activities across propulsion, avionics, GNC, structures, thermal systems and vehicle design teams.
• Lead system-level trade studies and support key engineering decisions throughout development.
• Identify technical risks, programme dependencies and integration challenges.
• Ensure engineering decisions balance technical ambition with commercial viability and programme objectives.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across the engineering organisation.
• Support technical documentation, engineering processes, and bid/tender readiness activities.
• Drive integration, validation and testing efforts as the programme progresses toward flight.
• Help build and scale engineering best practice within a rapidly growing organisation.

What We’re Looking For

• Degree qualified in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Strong systems engineering background gained within spacecraft, launch vehicles, re-entry vehicles, defence, advanced aerospace or other complex engineering environments.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams or acting as a senior technical authority.
• Strong understanding of system architecture, requirements management, interface control and subsystem integration.
• Ability to assess technical trade-offs and make informed engineering decisions across multiple disciplines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• A hands-on mindset with the ability to move comfortably between high-level strategy and technical detail.

Desirable Experience

• Re-entry vehicles, atmospheric re-entry systems or capsule development.
• Spacecraft, launcher or broader spaceflight programmes.
• Flight hardware development, testing and qualification.
• System modelling, simulation and verification activities.
• Technical leadership, Chief Engineer, Head of Engineering, Lead Systems Engineering or CTO-style responsibilities.
• Startup, scale-up or deep-tech environments.

Why Join?

• Join at an early stage of a highly ambitious European spaceflight programme.
• Significant influence over technical direction and future engineering growth.
• Work on challenging re-entry vehicle technology from concept through to flight.
• High level of ownership and autonomy.
• Flexible hybrid working model.
• Relocation support available where required.
• Potential equity participation as part of the overall package.
• Open to candidates globally, with EU right to work preferred but not essential.

Location: Remote (travel to Croatia required)

The company operates a flexible hybrid working model, allowing engineers to be based remotely for the majority of their time. However, the successful candidate should be comfortable travelling to Croatia for hands-on development, integration, testing and workshop activities, typically in blocks of 2-3 weeks (for example) when project requirements dictate.

This is a rare opportunity to join a highly innovative business at a pivotal stage of growth, where you’ll have the chance to make tangible impact on both the product and the company’s future.

Apply today or get in touch with iO Associates for a confidential conversation.