Principal Systems Architect – Remote Sensing Systems

Role Overview

• Serve as the senior technical authority for space system architecture within the Special Programs organization, providing vision and direction for mission-driven system concepts
• Lead end-to-end architecture definition for advanced space-based sensing systems, from mission concept formulation through preliminary design, ensuring alignment with customer objectives and operational requirements
• Drive system-level trade space exploration across competing architectures, evaluating performance, cost, schedule, and risk to inform program decisions at the highest levels
• Develop and own the overarching system architecture baseline, including CONOPs, system-level requirements, interface definitions, and key performance parameters (KPPs)
• Provide authoritative technical guidance on RF system design, sensing system performance, and space segment architecture to program teams and leadership
• Lead and mentor a team of systems engineers, fostering technical excellence, rigorous engineering discipline, and a culture of innovation
• Represent the program at senior-level technical reviews, customer engagements, and government forums; serve as the primary technical voice for architecture decisions
• Identify and resolve complex, cross-cutting technical challenges that span multiple subsystems and program boundaries
• Collaborate with business development and capture teams to shape new program opportunities, contribute to proposals, and define technical approaches for future missions
• Maintain awareness of the broader national security space landscape, emerging threats, and evolving customer needs to inform long-range architecture strategy
• Partner with government customers and mission partners to translate high-level operational needs into technically sound and executable system architectures

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• 12+ years of progressive experience in systems engineering or architecture within the aerospace, defense, or national security domain
• Demonstrated experience leading the architecture and design of complex space or airborne sensing systems from concept through CDR or beyond
• Experience architecting space-based RF sensing or surveillance systems, with a strong understanding of the full sensing chain from aperture to exploitation
• Deep familiarity with Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) and/or Airborne Moving Target Indicator (AMTI) processing architectures and their system-level design implications
• Experience with UHF-band system design, including propagation characteristics, antenna aperture trades, and ionospheric effects
• Deep expertise in RF system performance analysis, including link budgets, radar system design fundamentals, and space segment performance modeling
• Proven track record of leading technical teams and driving architecture decisions in a matrixed, program-driven environment
• Experience engaging directly with DoD or Intelligence Community customers at a senior technical level
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and executive audiences
• Active TS//SCI security clearance
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.

Tech Stack

• TypeScript

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Short and long-term disability
• 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%
• Education Support Program
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week)
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays
• Employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions