Senior Project Lead Engineer

Are you ready to take your career to new heights? At D-Orbit, we are pioneering the future of space logistics and transportation. Established in 2011, our company is leading the way in helping businesses profitably and sustainably unlock the full potential of the final frontier.

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of highly skilled individuals, all driven by a shared passion for innovation and excellence. Join us in our global mission to push the boundaries of what is possible and take your ambition to new heights.

The Senior Project Lead Engineer plays a central role within the Business Unit Government & Defense, acting as the technical reference responsible for steering the engineering development of complex institutional and defense space programs. The role combines strong system-level technical expertise with the capability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams, ensuring technical coherence, compliance, and effective execution throughout the entire project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as technical lead for space programs, ensuring end-to-end technical coherence across system, subsystem, and equipment levels.
• Coordinate and guide multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the full project lifecycle, from Phase A/B to C/D/E.
• Translate customer and mission needs into coherent system solutions, ensuring alignment between technical implementation, schedule, and cost constraints.
• Support the Project Manager in technical decision‑making, risk assessment, and trade‑off activities, contributing to project success criteria.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and customer requirements (ECSS, institutional, and defense‑specific standards).
• Oversee system engineering activities including requirements management, interface definition, configuration control, and verification strategy.
• Monitor technical progress, identify critical issues, and coordinate mitigation actions across engineering disciplines.
• Lead technical reviews and represent the project during customer, internal, and supplier technical meetings.
• Support proposal and pre‑sales activities by defining technical approaches, work breakdowns, development plans, and effort estimations.
• Contribute within the BU technical team to the definition of product and technology roadmaps, aligned with corporate strategy and market evolution.

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of professional experience in engineering roles within the space or aerospace sector.
• Proven experience as a technical lead, lead engineer, or system‑level responsible on complex space or institutional programs.
• Proven experience in institutional space programs (e.g.: ESA, MoDs, regional space agencies), including high‑reliability and security‑driven mission contexts.
• Demonstrated experience covering the full development lifecycle of a satellite program, from early mission phases (Phase A/B) through detailed design, AIT, verification, qualification, and in‑orbit delivery.
• Ability to operate effectively within multi‑stakeholder institutional environments, interfacing with agencies, prime contractors, and international partners throughout the program lifecycle.
• Strong background in space system engineering principles, including requirements, interfaces, verification, and lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and technically lead multidisciplinary teams (system, avionics, AIV, payload, operations).
• Solid knowledge of ECSS standards and familiarity with institutional and defense program environments.
• Excellent capability to interface with customers, partners, and suppliers at senior technical and managerial levels.
• Strong analytical, leadership, and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage technical risk and complexity.
• Experience in proposal preparation and technical oversight of bids is considered a strong asset.
• Good communication skills and willingness to operate in an international and institutional environment.
• Deep knowledge of AI tools.

Location: This position is not fully remote. Candidates must have the right to work in Italy and possess a valid VISA. Some activities require on‑site presence at D‑Orbit facilities; others are location‑independent.

EEO & Diversity Statement: At D-Orbit, diversity and inclusivity are not just values; they are integral to our mission and way of working. We are committed to fostering an environment where all individuals are respected, valued, and celebrated for their unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We actively strive to create a culture where everyone can bring their authentic selves to work, where all voices are heard and valued, and where everyone has equal opportunities to grow and excel.