**Manastu Space** is an Indian space-tech company founded by IIT Bombay alumni **Tushar Jadhav** and **Ashtesh Kumar**. It develops hydrogen peroxide-based green propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles that enable safer maneuvering that is cost-effective and helps in debris collision avoidance with sustainable end-of-life deorbiting, thus address the growing needs and challenges of an increasingly crowded space environment.
Our work sits at the intersection of advanced engineering, applied research and mission-critical systems, requiring deep technical capability and long-term thinking.
Website: https://www.manastuspace.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manastu-space/
Email: careers@manastuspace.com
**Role Objective**
Take full ownership and drive end-to-end system engineering of propulsion missions, from translating mission requirements into robust system architecture to delivering a fully integrated, flight-ready system. The role requires leading cross-functional execution, solving complex engineering challenges, and ensuring reliable performance under tight timelines in a fast-paced startup environment.
**Role Overview**
The System Engineer is responsible for driving the overall system definition, integration, and execution of propulsion missions. The role operates at the intersection of propulsion, structures, thermal, and electronics to ensure all subsystems function as a cohesive, high-performance system. It involves close collaboration with design, manufacturing, testing, and program teams to translate mission requirements into executable plans, manage interfaces, identify and mitigate risks early, and ensure timely delivery of flight-ready systems. In a fast-paced startup environment, the role demands strong ownership, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to solve complex problems to ensure mission success.
**Key Responsibilities**
**1. System Architecture and Design:**
a. Taking ownership of the entire design process and system architecture, from conceptualization to implementation, and ensuring that the products align with the
startup's vision, mission objectives, and industry standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration with spacecraft subsystems.
**2. Requirements Management:**
a. Define and manage system requirements based on customer needs and industry standards.
b. Utilize NASA system engineering processes to develop clear and concise requirements documentation.
**3. Risk Management:**
a. Identify and assess potential risks associated with the propulsion system.
b. Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to ensure mission success.
**4. Testing and Validation:**
a. Plan and execute system-level tests to validate the performance and reliability of propulsion systems.
b. Collaborate with testing teams to analyse results and implement necessary improvements.
**5. Documentation:**
a. Create and maintain comprehensive system engineering documentation in accordance with NASA standards.
b. Generate technical reports, specifications, and other documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
**6. Project Coordination:**
a. Work closely with project managers to ensure that engineering activities align with project timelines and objectives.
b. Participate in regular project meetings and provide technical expertise to support decision-making.
**7. Continuous Improvement:**
a. Stay updated on the latest advancements in space propulsion technology and
integrate relevant innovations into our systems.
b. Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes and
methodologies.
**Experience & Background**
1. Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
2. Proven experience in space system engineering.
3. Well versed with the systems engineering process followed by NASA
4. Some years of experience in a technical or engineering role, including a minimum of 2 years of hands-on system engineering experience gained through college-level projects or within the aerospace industry
5. Demonstrated experience in effectively and appropriately balancing performance, resource use, risk, cost and schedule.
6. Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams and ability to communicate the same.
7. Demonstrated ability to flexibly and positively deal with evolving project constraints.
8. Ability to filter information to focus on key aspects and maintain and close attention to detail.
9. A sense of urgency.
**Ideal Candidate Profile**
- Experience in delivering spaceflight hardware or complete mission lifecycle (design → build → test → integration → launch)
- Strong foundation in systems engineering principles, including requirements, interfaces and trade-offs
- Hands-on exposure to testing and validation (TVAC, vibration, hot-fire, functional testing)
- Depth in at least one domain: propulsion / fluid systems / thermal / structures / electronics
- Proven ability to handle failures, debug issues, and drive root cause resolution
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous startup environments
- Demonstrates high ownership and accountability for system-level outcomes
- Strong problem-solving skills with a first-principles thinking approach
- Effective in cross-functional collaboration and technical communication
- Prior experience in satellite or propulsion systems is highly preferred
What Success Looks Like in this role
- Propulsion systems delivered on time, fully integrated, and flight-ready
- System performance meets or exceeds mission requirements and reliability targets
- Risks identified early and mitigated before impacting timelines or performance
- Seamless integration with spacecraft and other subsystems
- Clear, well-defined requirements, interfaces, and documentation maintained throughout the lifecycle
- Ability to resolve technical challenges quickly and effectively
- Strong ownership leading to minimal supervision and high execution velocity
- Continuous improvement in design, testing, and system reliability across missions
- Contribution to building scalable systems engineering processes within the organization
If you are motivated by building enduring technical institutions and solving complex hiring challenges at scale, we would like to hear from you on careers@manastuspace.com
Deep-tech Work India