Firefly Aerospace
Mission Architect, Space Sensing
Firefly Aerospace, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Mission Architect, Space Sensing
Overview Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables launch, land, and operate missions. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. The role will be 80% focused on new business efforts and 20% supporting active program efforts. You will oversee all aspects of designing, developing, and fielding space sensing missions, including integration with ground and user segments. You will work closely with business development, directors, external customers, and other subject matter experts to shape feasibility, write proposals, define requirements, design systems, manage integration & test, and oversee on‑orbit operations.
Responsibilities
Collaboratively lead interdisciplinary teams through advanced, complex technical projects for the design, development, integration, and testing of customer solutions, including developing concept of operations, mission requirements, and system architectures.
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 company’s strategic growth objectives.
Required Qualifications
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field.
Experience: 10+ years in the space industry (7+ years with Master’s), minimum 3 years in a mission architect role.
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 such as Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (TacISR), Earth Observation, and related areas.
Demonstrated expertise in space sensing mission design and spacecraft operations.
Strong communication skills and 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 who 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
Master’s or PhD in engineering, physics, or related field.
Active TS/SCI security clearance.
Experience with controlled access programs.
Strong understanding of and experience working on DoD/IC space sensing missions.
Benefits Firefly offers outstanding benefits, including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles; parental leave; educational reimbursement; short‑term disability; and flexible PTO options.
Legal To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
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Overview Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables launch, land, and operate missions. As the partner of choice for critical space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with 24‑hour notice and the only company to achieve a successful Moon landing. The role will be 80% focused on new business efforts and 20% supporting active program efforts. You will oversee all aspects of designing, developing, and fielding space sensing missions, including integration with ground and user segments. You will work closely with business development, directors, external customers, and other subject matter experts to shape feasibility, write proposals, define requirements, design systems, manage integration & test, and oversee on‑orbit operations.
Responsibilities
Collaboratively lead interdisciplinary teams through advanced, complex technical projects for the design, development, integration, and testing of customer solutions, including developing concept of operations, mission requirements, and system architectures.
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 company’s strategic growth objectives.
Required Qualifications
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or related field.
Experience: 10+ years in the space industry (7+ years with Master’s), minimum 3 years in a mission architect role.
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 such as Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), Tactical Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (TacISR), Earth Observation, and related areas.
Demonstrated expertise in space sensing mission design and spacecraft operations.
Strong communication skills and 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 who 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
Master’s or PhD in engineering, physics, or related field.
Active TS/SCI security clearance.
Experience with controlled access programs.
Strong understanding of and experience working on DoD/IC space sensing missions.
Benefits Firefly offers outstanding benefits, including generous health, dental, and vision plans with low deductibles; parental leave; educational reimbursement; short‑term disability; and flexible PTO options.
Legal To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Firefly is governed based on merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
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