Staff Mission Architect

Role overview Lead mission formulation and architecture, translating customer needs into practical, cost-aware space mission concepts. The role combines system-level analysis and requirements work with close coordination across engineering disciplines and scientific teams, from early design trades through spacecraft and constellation evaluation.

Responsibilities - Develop complete mission concepts grounded in customer needs and mission objectives. - Perform mission-level analyses and manage top-level mission budgets. - Define mission requirements and contribute to the design of radio-frequency and optical instruments. - Use analysis software or code to explore engineering trades and answer system design questions. - Assess spacecraft performance and constellation configurations, coordinating with instrument designers and other engineers. - Work with scientists and engineering specialists to ensure the proposed system meets its objectives.

Requirements - A relevant engineering degree and at least 12 years of space-mission experience; relevant postgraduate degrees may count toward the experience requirement. - Demonstrated spacecraft design and space mission design experience. - Programming or analytical software skills in at least one of Python, Julia, MATLAB, C, or C++. - Strong communication, presentation, and coordination skills, with a habit of basing conclusions on the most relevant evidence. - Active TS/SCI clearance. - Ability to travel to the Mountain View facility for in-person meetings, build, and test activities.

Nice to have - Experience with instruments operating across visible, infrared, or radio-frequency wavelengths. - Experience supporting science teams, designing constellations, or operating spacecraft or constellations.

Benefits and work setup The listed annual salary range is $159,000–$223,000, with incentive compensation and equity. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k), disability and life insurance, three weeks of paid vacation for new employees, 12 paid holidays, unlimited sick time, and paid parental leave. The work includes travel for in-person mission activities.