ABOUT FIREFLY AEROSPACE

Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables our world to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. 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. Our launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide government and commercial customers with full mission services from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. Headquartered in north Austin, Texas, Firefly is looking for passionate, hardworking innovators to join our team and help fuel our successful trajectory into space.

SUMMARY

As the Mission Architect, Space Communications, you will be a Space Communications subject matter expert (SME) overseeing mission architecture across Firefly’s Space Communications 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 Communications related 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 write proposals, requirements definition, system design, integration & test, and on-orbit operations.

The position is available in the following locations: Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Washington, DC; and Los Angeles, CA.

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 concept 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 Communications and Space Communications related 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

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 Communications mission areas
• Demonstrated expertise in Space Communications or Space Communications related mission design and spacecraft operations.
• Experience implementing networked communications architectures
• 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 Communications or Space Communications related missions

with low plan deductibles, parental leave, educational reimbursement, short term disability, and flexible PTO options.

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/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Base Salary Range: $169,000 - $250,000