Spacecraft Physics & Mission Scientist

The scientific responsibility

Assess whether a verified laboratory effect could ever become a useful mission capability. Own full-system power, mass, heat and momentum accounting before flight ambitions.

Technical depth we are looking for

Spacecraft systems; attitude dynamics; power/thermal budgets; propulsion metrics; environmental testing; mission trade studies.

We expect research-level command of the relevant physics and methods, plus the ability to explain assumptions to adjacent specialists. A doctorate or equivalent demonstrated achievement is appropriate; the evidence of your work matters more than a particular institution.

Evidence to bring

A mission or payload trade with explicit assumptions, uncertainty and a candid explanation of why an attractive concept was rejected.

Provide public or authorized links and distinguish your individual contribution from the team’s work. Include a failure, correction or negative result that improved your judgment. Do not send confidential material.

Your first design assignment

Define the laboratory evidence and system-level performance needed before a spacecraft study becomes justified.

This is a proposed priority after appointment, not an unpaid application assignment. The exact scope follows funding, access to appropriate facilities and an agreed work plan.

The failure mode you must be able to expose

Scaling a bench force without counting power supply, thermal rejection, structure, attitude control or external momentum exchange.

A concrete first deliverable

A conditional translation roadmap and go/no-go metrics, activated only after credible laboratory evidence.

Acceptance should be based on inspectable records, stated limitations and independent technical review. A positive propulsion result is not a prerequisite for useful scientific work.

A question for our technical conversation

Which system constraint could erase an apparent laboratory advantage?

Appointment and compensation

This is a proposed capability profile within the later-stage translation. Selected full-time founding appointments are proposed at USD $1M starting annual base salary with a USD $10M+ milestone bonus opportunity, subject to secured funding and signed terms. Location, benefits, start date and exact scope remain to be agreed. Read the complete compensation framework.