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Mission Design Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Dedalus Labs

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$170K - $230K/yr

Design Engineer @ Dedalus Labs Mission Dedalus Labs is an AI research neolab building infrastructure for AI agents. We are looking for a design engineer who wants to build the UI for the platform ...

AEVEX

Design Engineer 3

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$133.90 - $147.90/hr

The Design Engineer 3 at AEVEX Aerospace is engaged in the design of aircraft structural and system ... S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum ...

Dedalus Labs, Inc.

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

Design Engineer @ Dedalus Labs Mission Dedalus Labs is an AI research neolab building infrastructure for AI agents. We are looking for a design engineer who wants to build the UI for the platform ...

Lean In

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

While the majority of your work will focus on Lean In, this role offers the opportunity to drive impact across multiple mission-driven initiatives. THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare ...

AEVEX

Design Engineer 3

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$133.90 - $147.90/hr

The Design Engineer 3 at AEVEX Aerospace is engaged in the design of aircraft structural and system ... S. national security mission and partner nation needs around the world by providing full-spectrum ...

Replit

Design Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

$180K - $290K/yr

About the role: We're seeking a Design Engineer to bridge the gap between design and engineering at ... Reasons not to work at Replit To achieve our mission of making programming more accessible around ...

Lean In

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$130K - $200K/yr

While the majority of your work will focus on Lean In, this role offers the opportunity to drive impact across multiple mission-driven initiatives. THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare ...

Free resume

Design Engineer

Foster City, CA · On-site

# Design EngineerReplit · Foster City, Belgium · Posted 11/12/2025 On-site (Foster City)full ... Reasons not to work at ReplitTo achieve our mission of making programming more accessible around ...

New

Lean In

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$130K - $200K/yr

While the majority of your work will focus on Lean In, this role offers the opportunity to drive impact across multiple mission-driven initiatives. THE ROLE We're hiring a Design Engineer - a rare ...

Cervélo

Design Engineer

Aliso Viejo, CA · On-site

The Design Engineer is a core member of the Product Development Team ... Product Development's mission is the timely delivery of new products and technologies to market.

Roblox

Design Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$163K - $202K/yr

We're on a mission to connect a billion people with optimism and civility, and looking for amazing ... As a Design Engineer on the Design Acceleration team, you'll be an individual contributor focused ...

Chai Discovery, Inc

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

About the role As Chai's first design engineer, you'll define how scientists interact with the most ... a mission that matters. We protect & promote a culture of high velocity and ownership. We ...

TAE

Design Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

We're looking for candidates who are passionate about realizing our mission: A future where all ... About The Role The Design Engineer will apply technical expertise, commensurate with training and ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsMission Design Engineer JobsMission Design Engineer Jobs in California

Mission Design Engineer information

What does a mission design engineer do?

A Mission Design Engineer is responsible for planning and designing space missions, including determining spacecraft trajectories, launch windows, and mission timelines. They analyze technical requirements, perform simulations, and optimize mission parameters to ensure the mission's objectives can be achieved efficiently and safely. Mission Design Engineers work closely with other engineering teams to integrate spacecraft systems and address any potential challenges in the mission profile. Their work is crucial in ensuring the success of space exploration, satellite deployment, and other aerospace projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mission design engineer?

To thrive as a Mission Design Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, expertise in orbital mechanics, and a degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Proficiency with mission analysis tools such as STK, GMAT, and MATLAB, as well as familiarity with simulation and modeling software, is typically required. Exceptional problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills help set outstanding engineers apart. These competencies ensure the creation of successful, efficient, and safe space missions that meet rigorous technical and operational objectives.

What are some typical challenges a mission design engineer faces when coordinating with interdisciplinary teams?

Mission Design Engineers often work closely with specialists in propulsion, avionics, systems engineering, and operations. One common challenge is ensuring that the mission trajectory and requirements are clearly communicated and harmonized across different technical domains. Balancing competing constraints—such as payload capacity, fuel efficiency, and launch windows—requires strong collaboration and negotiation skills. Addressing these challenges successfully can lead to innovative solutions and is key to mission success.

What is the difference between Mission Design Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectMission Design EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Aerospace, Mechanical, or related fields; certifications like PMP or specific aerospace credentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related fields; certifications like INCOSE CSEP
Work EnvironmentDesigning and planning space missions, often in aerospace or defense sectorsIntegrating and managing complex systems across industries like aerospace, defense, or technology
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in aerospace, space agencies, defense contractorsWidely in aerospace, defense, IT, and manufacturing sectors

While both roles require engineering backgrounds and involve complex technical work, Mission Design Engineers focus specifically on planning and designing space or mission-specific operations. Systems Engineers have a broader scope, managing entire systems' integration and functionality across various industries.

How much do mission design engineers make?

Mission design engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Senior engineers with specialized skills in spacecraft systems or orbital mechanics can earn higher salaries, especially in aerospace or defense industries.

What cities in California are hiring for Mission Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Mission Design Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Mission Design Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Dedalus Labs
See more jobs at Dedalus Labsexternal

$170K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

Design Engineer @ Dedalus Labs
Mission
Dedalus Labs is an AI research neolab building infrastructure for AI agents.
We are looking for a design engineer who wants to build the UI for the platform that will power the AI agents of the future.
You might be a fit if you
  • Are obsessive about user experience.
  • Measure thrice, cut once.
  • Sweat the small details.
  • Believe great products are built from millions of tiny perfected parts.
  • Live at the bleeding edge of web and browser technology.
  • Have strong opinions about frameworks, languages, rendering models, and where the web is going.
  • Think the internet should be faster.
  • Have shipped amazing work.
  • Understand why a spring beats a tween.
  • Care about optimal bundling strategies.
  • View software engineering as simply moving typed data around.
  • Believe actions speak louder than words.
  • Are high agency and fiercely independent.
  • Say how things ought to be built, then build them.
  • Are a competitive teammate with a heart of gold.
  • Are hungry to learn, improve, and reflect deeply on feedback.
  • Go above and beyond in everything you do.

What we look for
  • Fluency with AI coding tools.
  • Deep expertise in React and TypeScript.
  • Experience with web frameworks like Next.js, Vite, or Remix.
  • Wizardry with styling libraries like Tailwind CSS.
  • Strong instincts in responsive design and motioning patterns.
  • Performance-pilled engineers with exceptional core web vitals instincts.
  • Good judgment around RSC, streaming, and loading states.
  • Responsive, accessible work.
  • Modern CSS you are a little smug about.

Nice-to-have
  • Experience with Motion, GSAP, View Transitions, WebGL, Three.js, React Three Fiber, or similar tools.
  • High-performance tooling, e.g. Vite+, the oxc stack, etc.
  • Canvas, shaders, GLSL, or WebGPU.
  • Open-source contributions we can look at.
  • Tools or techniques we have not heard of yet.
  • Experience writing APIs.
  • Comfort with Supabase or a similar database.
  • Strong knowledge of types.
  • Interest in category theory.

Taste
You know what good looks like.
Logistics
  • In person in San Francisco.
  • Remote considered case by case for exceptional applicants.
  • We sponsor visas.

Tips
The first thing we look at is your GitHub and your personal website. Show us the best version of yourself!

Apply