Senior Mission Formulation Lead - RF/Comms

Role overview This senior role drives the earliest stages of new business in the RF and communications satellite domain, combining scientific rigor with strategic capture work. The position bridges technical teams and business development to identify, shape, and win high-value mission opportunities spanning defense, intelligence, philanthropic, and commercial customers.

Responsibilities - Lead execution of mission formulation contracts and shepherd cross-functional teams delivering mission concepts in the RF and Comms domain. - Run strategic capture campaigns for high-value opportunities across government and commercial RF remote sensing markets. - Drive complex, multi-stage programs from early customer engagement through design concepts, experiments, and delivery. - Serve as Principal Investigator on early-stage R&D proposals and activities. - Author technical proposals, white papers, and concept studies that communicate mission value and shape R&D roadmaps. - Conduct feasibility studies, literature reviews, and trade studies for early-stage mission, instrument, and data concepts. - Translate customer pain points into technical requirements and conceptual solutions through discovery engagements. - Partner with product management, business development, and engineering to identify and develop new markets and technologies.

Requirements - B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Remote Sensing, Computer Science, or a closely related technical field. - 5+ years of experience in RF remote sensing or communications missions in technical or programmatic leadership roles. - First-principles mindset with the ability to decompose mission objectives into technical concepts and solutions. - Background in passive and/or active RF payload phenomenologies applied to remote sensing or communications. - Experience spanning RF/Comms space missions across government and commercial markets. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to distill complex science for varied audiences. - Demonstrated success working across engineering, operations, mission architecture, and business development. - Existing TS/SCI clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain one.

Nice to have - Programming proficiency in Python, MATLAB, or Julia for mission analysis and concept development. - Familiarity with early-stage business development and discovery workflows. - Training or experience in strategic planning, roadmapping, or scenario planning. - Familiarity with satellite remote sensing systems.

Benefits and work setup - Salary range $144,000–$200,000 plus incentive compensation, equity, and a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, a 401(k), short- and long-term disability, life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation, 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time, and paid parental leave.