Staff Systems Engineer

Hop Aero

  • Orange, CA
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 14 days ago
  • Apply easily
About the jobHop Aero is a venture-backed startup building the physical internet. Our mission is to enable resilient global logistics to protect and improve our way of life.Our founding team has prior experience founding a satellite startup and taking it to orbit, launching 20+ F9's at SpaceX and has led engineering teams at the world's most advanced aerospace organizations.Role OverviewYou will own vehicle-level system architecture and integration for Hop’s flight program. This is a hands-on, senior technical role bridging propulsion, avionics, structures, and GNC - taking concepts from requirements through test and flight. You’ll also interface with DoD customers, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure we deliver a capable, testable, certifiable vehicle on time.Key Responsibilities
  • Own and maintain the vehicle requirements tree (L0–L2), interface control documents, and verification matrix.
  • Lead system architecture trades across propulsion, avionics, structures, GNC, and software.
  • Drive integration from design through vehicle assembly, test, and flight readiness.
  • Lead phase gates (SRR, PDR, CDR, etc.) with right-sized rigor for a fast-paced program.
  • Translate system capabilities into customer-facing deliverables.
  • Develop and execute system test plans, from HIL testing to flight.
  • Identify and mitigate program-level technical risks, own the risk register, and execute burn-down plans.
  • Mentor junior engineers and ensure technical decisions are aligned with program objectives.
  • Represent Hop Aero in technical discussions with DoD and other stakeholders.
Requirements
  • US Person (ITAR-compliant) with ability to work on defense-related programs.
  • 8–15 years of experience in flight vehicle systems engineering or vehicle integration, with at least one program from PDR to flight or hot-fire.
  • Direct, hands-on experience in GNC, flight mechanics, system integration, and testing. Strong working knowledge of propulsion, avionics, and structural systems.
  • Exposure to hypersonics or re-entry systems (thermal protection, guidance, range safety).
  • Proven ability to lead cross-disciplinary design reviews and integration activities.
  • Test campaign ownership experience, from TRR to FRR, including incident investigation and resolution.
  • Comfortable in a rapid prototyping environment with compressed timelines.
Nice-to-have
  • Range safety and FAA/AST certification experience.
  • Supplier development and technical oversight for aerospace hardware.
  • Active or prior security clearance.
  • MBSE/SysML experience (Cameo or equivalent).
Why Join UsAt Hop Aero, you’ll shape a new mode of transportation from the ground up, own major program decisions, and see your work fly in months, not years. We offer competitive compensation, meaningful equity, and the opportunity to work on one of the most ambitious aerospace projects of our time.

Hop Aero