Mission Architect (Remote Sensing)

Location: El Segundo, California, Onsite
U.S. Citizenship and Active Secret Clearance Required

Darwin Space are partnered with an exciting national security space company who are designing and delivering advanced small satellite systems for missions that directly support global security. They are looking for a Mission Architect with deep Remote Sensing and OPIR expertise to lead mission architecture, constellation design and end to end system modelling across multiple U.S. government programs.

This team operates at the cutting edge of missile warning, tracking and Earth observation missions. They need a highly experienced technical leader who can guide mission level decisions, manage performance budgets and help deliver full remote sensing space segments that meet demanding operational requirements.

This is a senior, high influence role that works across payload, spacecraft bus, algorithms, ground systems and operations.

Role Overview

The Mission Architect will be the subject matter expert for OPIR and remote sensing missions, responsible for defining mission architectures, leading modelling and simulation, developing system level performance assessments and ensuring that spacecraft, payload and ground elements meet mission objectives.

You will lead trades, decompose requirements for sensor and algorithm vendors, and guide development from early concept through system integration and on orbit operations. You will also play a key role in proposals, technical reviews and customer engagement.

This is an opportunity to shape the next generation of national security remote sensing missions.

Key Responsibilities

Mission Architecture and Requirements

• Define architecture and system requirements for OPIR missions
• Lead the development of mission concepts, CONOPS and system level performance budgets
• Oversee payload, spacecraft bus and ground segment alignment to mission requirements

Modelling and Simulation

• Lead modelling and simulation of EO/IR remote sensing systems
• Develop tools and methods to assess performance against Key Performance Parameters
• Perform constellation modelling and end to end scenario assessment

Sensor and Payload Oversight

• Evaluate sensor design, performance and development plans
• Conduct technical trades on EO/IR payload options
• Decompose requirements for payload and algorithm vendors

System Integration and Delivery

• Support system design, integration and test activities
• Ensure end to end system performance meets mission needs
• Participate in proposals, technical reviews and customer discussions
• Support on orbit operations as required

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 14 or more years of related experience, or master’s degree with 12 or more years
• Ten or more years of experience in the design, development, delivery and operation of space based remote sensing missions
• Experience in Earth observing EO/IR missions
• Expertise developing modelling and simulation tools to assess mission performance
• Experience with EO/IR sensor design and performance
• Active U.S. Secret clearance (active within the last 24 months)

Preferred Qualifications

• Twenty or more years of experience in OPIR mission development
• Experience leading multi disciplinary technical teams
• Experience with missile warning, tracking and defence missions
• Experience modelling constellation level performance
• Active TS/SCI clearance

Additional Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret or TS/SCI clearance
• Must live locally or relocate at own expense (no relocation package available)

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive base salary within the range listed above based on experience
• Variable compensation opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans, life and disability insurance
• Paid and unpaid time away from work
• Access to Boeing level Total Rewards programs