Partnerships Manager - Payload and Engineering

About Us

Our mission is to safeguard critical space infrastructure by providing the first integrated security platform to see threats, decide fast and respond at scale. Where spacecraft have traditionally been costly, slow to produce and require extensive effort to coordinate, SMC is developing systems that are produced at scale and operated with human-on-the-loop autonomy to drastically reduce the cost and complexity of orbital operations.

As space becomes more congested and contested, the satellites that underpin modern life, including communications, navigation, financial systems, are increasingly exposed. We are developing the vehicles and software to protect them, working with commercial operators and government agencies across allied nations.

Our approach is grounded in economics as much as engineering. The Optimus Viper Rapid Response Vehicle delivers genuine mission capability at a fraction of conventional spacecraft cost, designed for high-volume production and rapid deployment across all orbital regimes. Solstice OS, our AI-driven command and control platform, fuses space domain awareness data and automates mission planning and vehicle coordination, allowing smaller teams to manage larger constellations and respond to emerging situations in seconds rather than hours.

The future of space depends on assets that can be inspected, monitored and protected in orbit. We are building the technology to make that possible.

Why Join Us

We’re a start up — things move fast, resources are lean, and we’re building as we go.

What we offer is opportunity: to learn at speed, grow with the company, and leave your fingerprints on something that’s never been done before. At Space Machines Company, engineers, innovators, and problem solvers join forces to push the limits of what’s possible.

If you want to build technology designed to protect and power humanity’s future in space — and see your work make a visible impact — this is where you’ll do it.

How We Work

We are builders first.

We approach every challenge through a cycle of design, build, test, and refine — making ideas real, learning from results, and improving with each iteration.

We challenge assumptions to make sure we’re solving the right problems, and we strengthen our solutions through collaboration and feedback.

We use process where it adds value and set it aside where it slows us down. There are a lot of firsts here, and we meet them with curiosity and courage.

We win as one team.

Requirements:
• Identify and qualify partners for satellite payloads (e.g. VNIR/LWIR cameras, LiDAR), mechanical subsystems (structures, hinges), and engineering services (analysis, AIT).
• Develop and negotiate collaboration models (joint development, licensing, consortiums) and MoUs with partner organizations
• Align partner capabilities with SMC’ product platform and coordinate joint projects to meet technical requirements.
• Lead end-to-end partnership lifecycle – draft and finalize MoUs/agreements, manage NDA compliance, and oversee joint RFP responses.
• Track partner performance on development milestones. Facilitate technical workshops, prototype integrations, and knowledge transfers. Resolve issues to keep projects on schedule and within budget..
• Cultivate a robust network of suppliers and innovators for future missions (on-orbit servicing, satellite refueling, etc.). Maintain a partnership pipeline to expand capabilities..
• Monitor partnership ROI and contribution to sales pipeline. Provide reports on partnership outcomes and resource allocation

Experience

• Bachelor’s/Master’s in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electronics Engineering or equivalent.
• More than 5 years in technical partnerships, alliances or BD within aerospace/defence sectors.
• Track record of managing payload or subsystem collaborations (e.g. projects with ISRO/DRDO or industry).
• Strong understanding of satellite systems (payload sensors, avionics, structures) and in-orbit servicing technology. Able to engage on technical details with engineering teams.
• Excellent negotiation, contract drafting, and relationship management. Strong project management and cross-functional coordination abilities.