Mission Architect, Remote Sensing (OPIR)

Lead Technical Authority for Remote Sensing Mission Architecture

Missile warning and remote sensing missions succeed only when sensor physics, spacecraft design, and mission-level performance are connected into a coherent architecture. This position carries significant weight for national security outcomes. We are seeking an OPIR subject matter expert to take ownership of mission architecture and constellation design across multiple programmes, leading both the technical solution and the team and business development activity behind it. This is a senior, highly visible position with genuine influence over the missions you help build.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for Remote Sensing space segment design, covering spacecraft and constellation architecture through to integration with ground and user segments.
• Spend approximately half of your time working directly with customers and stakeholders, and the remainder leading a team of 7 to 10 engineers across architecture, modelling, and analysis.
• Own mission-level budgets and key performance parameters, including line of sight knowledge, jitter, optical transmission, and latency.
• Develop the modelling and simulation tools used to validate system performance against defined parameters.
• Play a leading role in shaping new business, writing proposals, defining requirements, and supporting programmes through to on-orbit operations.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physical sciences, or computer science with 14 or more years of related experience, or a Master’s degree with 12 or more years, or an equivalent combination.
• 10 or more years of experience in the design, development, delivery, and operation of space-based remote sensing missions.
• Experience with earth observing EO/IR missions, including sensor design and performance.
• Expertise in developing mission modelling and simulation tools to assess sensing mission performance.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams and contribute to proposal development and new business.
• US Citizenship with an active Secret clearance (active within the last 24 months).

Preferred Qualifications

• 20 or more years of experience in the design, development, delivery, and operation of space-based OPIR missions.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams of comparable size.
• Experience across the missile warning, tracking, and defense mission, spanning air, ground, space, and user domains.
• Experience modelling constellation-level performance.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.

Working Environment

This role operates within a fast-paced, agile environment that feels closer to a startup than a traditional prime. Candidates who thrive here are comfortable with ambiguity, hands-on by instinct, and motivated to act as thought leaders in their domain.