Firefly Aerospace
Mission Architect, Space Sensing
As an end-to-end responsive space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquarters in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space. As the Mission Architect, Space Sensing, you will be a space-based sensing subject matter expert (SME) overseeing mission architectures across Firefly's Space Sensing portfolio. This role will be 80% focused on new business efforts and 20% supporting active program efforts in a SME capacity. You will oversee all aspects of designing, developing, and fielding space sensing missions, including integration with ground and user segments. You will closely work with business development, directors, external customers, and other subject matter experts to shape the feasibility of new missions and architect existing missions. You will be integral to writing proposals, requirements definition, system design, integration & test, and on-orbit operations. What You'll Do Collaboratively lead interdisciplinary teams through advanced, complex technical projects for the design, development, integration, and testing of customer solutions, including developing concepts of operations, mission requirements, and system architecture Support front-end business development efforts including customer engagement, white papers, proposals, and studies Maintain strong customer awareness and develop customer relationships in partnership with the business development team. Define architecture and system requirements for space sensing missions Lead modeling and simulation efforts to assess system performance Develop CONOPS at the spacecraft, constellation, and mission level Lead internal technical projects and end-to-end engineering activities to meet the companys strategic growth objectives What We're Looking For Required Qualifications Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Physics, or related field Experience: 10+ years of experience in the space industry (7+ years with Master's degree) with a minimum of 3 years' experience in a mission architect role Expertise Deep knowledge of the space and small/medium satellite industries Deep knowledge of National Security Space (NSS), commercial, or civil customer needs in space sensing missions like Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR); Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (TacISR); Earth Observation, and other areas Demonstrated expertise in space sensing mission design and spacecraft operations. Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with senior leadership and external customers about space systems Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships both internally and externally Excellent leadership and management skills Strong team player that can collaborate across all levels and functions Ability to manage assignments and deadlines effectively Ability to teach and mentor teammates to improve overall team performance Professional with a high degree of integrity Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance U.S. citizenship required Desired Qualifications Educational Background: Master's or PhD in engineering, Physics, or related field Expertise Active TS/SCI security clearance Experience with controlled access programs Strong understanding of and experience working DoD/IC space sensing missions Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.
As an end-to-end responsive space transportation company, Firefly Aerospace is on a mission to enable our world to launch, land, and operate in space anywhere, anytime. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond. Headquarters in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space. As the Mission Architect, Space Sensing, you will be a space-based sensing subject matter expert (SME) overseeing mission architectures across Firefly's Space Sensing portfolio. This role will be 80% focused on new business efforts and 20% supporting active program efforts in a SME capacity. You will oversee all aspects of designing, developing, and fielding space sensing missions, including integration with ground and user segments. You will closely work with business development, directors, external customers, and other subject matter experts to shape the feasibility of new missions and architect existing missions. You will be integral to writing proposals, requirements definition, system design, integration & test, and on-orbit operations. What You'll Do Collaboratively lead interdisciplinary teams through advanced, complex technical projects for the design, development, integration, and testing of customer solutions, including developing concepts of operations, mission requirements, and system architecture Support front-end business development efforts including customer engagement, white papers, proposals, and studies Maintain strong customer awareness and develop customer relationships in partnership with the business development team. Define architecture and system requirements for space sensing missions Lead modeling and simulation efforts to assess system performance Develop CONOPS at the spacecraft, constellation, and mission level Lead internal technical projects and end-to-end engineering activities to meet the companys strategic growth objectives What We're Looking For Required Qualifications Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in engineering, Physics, or related field Experience: 10+ years of experience in the space industry (7+ years with Master's degree) with a minimum of 3 years' experience in a mission architect role Expertise Deep knowledge of the space and small/medium satellite industries Deep knowledge of National Security Space (NSS), commercial, or civil customer needs in space sensing missions like Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR); Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (TacISR); Earth Observation, and other areas Demonstrated expertise in space sensing mission design and spacecraft operations. Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate with senior leadership and external customers about space systems Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships both internally and externally Excellent leadership and management skills Strong team player that can collaborate across all levels and functions Ability to manage assignments and deadlines effectively Ability to teach and mentor teammates to improve overall team performance Professional with a high degree of integrity Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance U.S. citizenship required Desired Qualifications Educational Background: Master's or PhD in engineering, Physics, or related field Expertise Active TS/SCI security clearance Experience with controlled access programs Strong understanding of and experience working DoD/IC space sensing missions Firefly offers outstanding benefits for our employees, including generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.