Full-Time
Director of Engineering
Updated on 9/3/2026
Scout Space
51-200 employees
In-space observation and space traffic data
Compensation Overview
$175k - $230k/yr
No H1B Sponsorship
Reston, VA, USA
Hybrid
Hybrid work is available, with a preference for candidates in or around Reston or willing to relocate.
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required
Bachelor's, Master's
 Engineering Management (1) |
|---|
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- A bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- At least 10 years of experience in aerospace, defense, or related high-reliability engineering environments.
- At least 5 years of experience leading engineering teams and delivering complex hardware and software systems.
- Demonstrated experience delivering space systems, payloads, spacecraft, or related subsystems from concept to operations.
- Strong understanding of spacecraft systems engineering, including integration across hardware, software, and operations.
- Proven ability to manage technical risk, schedules, and cross-functional dependencies in fast-paced environments.
- Experience working with U.S. Government customers and programs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance.
- The position requires authorization to access U.S. export-controlled technology through U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residence, protected-individual status, or eligibility to obtain the required U.S. Department of State authorization.
- Lead and scale a multidisciplinary engineering organization spanning optical, mechanical, electrical, firmware, flight software, autonomy, and mission systems engineering.
- Drive execution of complex space payload programs and architecture decisions from concept through design, integration, test, launch, and on-orbit operations.
- Coordinate with the executive team on product, program management, and business development to align engineering execution with customer needs, mission objectives, and the company roadmap.
- Establish and enforce engineering processes, standards, and best practices to ensure high-quality, flight-ready systems.
- Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams and foster collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Support proposal efforts, including technical strategy, architecture definition, and programmatic inputs.
- Experience with space-based sensing systems, optical payloads, or autonomy and artificial-intelligence-driven systems.
- A master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- Experience scaling engineering teams in a startup or high-growth environment.
- Background in space domain awareness, remote sensing, or on-orbit autonomy.
- Familiarity with flight software architecture, including modular frameworks and onboard autonomy systems.
- Experience with production and manufacturing of space hardware, including supply chain and vendor management.
- A strong track record of leading teams through design reviews such as SRR, PDR, and CDR and flight qualification.
- Experience supporting or leading capture and proposal efforts for government programs.
Scout Space provides onboard autonomy and in-space observation to improve safety and transparency of orbital operations. It sells autonomous vision systems, in-space observation services, and space-traffic data to satellite operators, space agencies, and commercial space enterprises. The onboard cameras and sensors, paired with autonomous vision software, detect hazards, track debris, and deliver actionable insights through data services for real-time collision avoidance and mission planning. By combining hardware with space traffic data, Scout Space aims to safeguard orbital infrastructure and raise safety standards across the space ecosystem.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Series A
Total Funding
$18.2M
Headquarters
Alexandria, Virginia
Founded
2019
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Scout closed an $18 million Series A on May 6, 2026.
- Virginia approved Scout's Fairfax expansion, adding 31 jobs and 2,650 square feet.
- Scout announced a June 22, 2026 second Series A close from VTC, Long Knife, and 100KM.
What critics are saying
- Scout depends on U.S. Space Force TACFI awards and Blue Origin execution in 2026.
- LeoLabs and Neuraspace intensify SDA competition with radar networks and funding.
- A Blue Ring launch slip or payload failure would damage Scout's credibility and backlog.
What makes Scout Space unique
- Scout Space combines optical payloads, edge processing, and autonomous SDA software.
- Blue Origin selected Scout's Owl sensor for Blue Ring's first mission in 2026.
- Scout already flew four payloads and plans roughly 12 missions through 2028.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
Wellness Stipend
Work From Home Stipend
Life Insurance
Long-term Disability plans
Commuter Benefit
Education Reimbursement
Paid Parental Leave
Open Time Off
Remote Work Options
Hybrid Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
Paid Vacation
Family Planning Benefits
Fertility Treatment Support
Stock Options
Company Equity
Mental Health Support
Wellness Program
Gym Membership
Phone/Internet Stipend
Home Office Stipend
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -4%1 year growth
↓ -7%2 year growth
↓ -18%Scout Space raises Series A second close from VTC Ventures, Long Knife, and 100KM. Scout Space, a space domain awareness sensor and software provider, has announced the second close of its Series A financing, adding VTC Ventures, Long Knife and 100KM to its investor syndicate. The initial close occurred in May 2026, led by Washington Harbour Partners. The funding will accelerate deployment of Scout's in-orbit sensor network, support upcoming missions and build out a new production facility in Northern Virginia. Founded in 2019, Scout has flown four payloads to orbit and has approximately 12 missions planned over the next two years, including integration of its Owl sensor on Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft. Scout's platform-agnostic systems combine optical payloads, edge processing and autonomous software to detect and track objects in orbit for commercial and national security customers. Read more here.
Scout Space, a space domain awareness sensor and software provider, has announced the second close of its Series A financing, adding VTC Ventures, Long Knife and 100KM to its investor syndicate. The initial close occurred in May 2026, led by Washington Harbour Partners. The funding will accelerate deployment of Scout's in-orbit sensor network, support upcoming missions and build out a new production facility in Northern Virginia. Founded in 2019, Scout has flown four payloads to orbit and has approximately 12 missions planned over the next two years, including integration of its Owl sensor on Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft. Scout's platform-agnostic systems combine optical payloads, edge processing and autonomous software to detect and track objects in orbit for commercial and national security customers.
Scout Space raises $18M Series A. Scout Space raises $18M Series A led by Washington Harbour Partners to scale its space domain awareness software and expand manufacturing in Northern Virginia. Updated June 02, 2026 Scout Space, a leader in space domain awareness (SDA) sensors and software located in Reston, Virginia, announced it has raised up to $18 million in Series A funding. Investors. New funding was led by Washington Harbour Partners. Additional participating investors include Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), Noblis Ventures, Decisive Point, Fusion Fund, and other existing investors. Scout Space use of funds. The new capital will support upcoming mission execution and the expansion of Scout's manufacturing capabilities, including the buildout of a new 2,600-square-foot facility in Northern Virginia. The funding will also accelerate sensor deployment and software capabilities. About Scout Space. Scout Space was founded in 2019 with the mission to enable a new era of space safety and transparency. Their in-space products and services, first launched in 2021, allow spacecraft to see and understand their surroundings. The company's orbital distributed sensor network is designed to significantly improve Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and ensure responsible use of the space environment. Scout's platform-agnostic systems combine advanced optical payloads, edge processing, and autonomy to detect, track, and characterize objects in orbit, supporting safer, more informed operations for commercial and national security missions. Funding details. Company: Scout Space Raised: $18M Round: Series A Funding Date: May 6, 2026 Lead Investor: Washington Harbour Partners Additional Investors: Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), Noblis Ventures, Decisive Point, Fusion Fund Company Website: www.scout.space Software Category: Space Domain Awareness Software Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/scout-space-raises-18m-series-a-to-scale-space-domain-awareness-capabilities-and-expand-manufacturing-in-northern-virginia-302760326.html Updated June 02, 2026
Daily Hard Tech Headlines:- Black Sea Technologies secured a $256M US Navy contract to develop the Sea-Based Petroleum Distribution System, a submersible maritime fuel distribution system for expeditionary military operations.- INTALUS, INC., the West Lafayette, Indiana… pic.twitter.com/bxFFIXJpRx— Atoms Not Bits (@AtomsNotBits) May 7, 2026
Scout Space, a space domain awareness sensor and software company, has raised $18 million in Series A funding led by Washington Harbour Partners. The round included participation from Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation, Noblis Ventures, Decisive Point, Fusion Fund and existing investors. Founded in 2019, Scout develops platform-agnostic systems combining optical payloads, edge processing and autonomy to detect, track and characterise objects in orbit. The funding will support mission execution and expand manufacturing capabilities, including a new 2,600-square-foot facility in Northern Virginia. Scout is working with Blue Origin to integrate its Owl sensor on Blue Ring's inaugural mission and has multiple Tactical Funding Increase awards with the US Space Force for GEO-based sensing systems and data platforms.