Chief Space Mission Architect - D2D Communications

Skylo; Mountain View (CA); Hybrid; USD 255,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan

Wellness reimbursement

Paid time off

Work abroad opportunities

D2D satellite program access

Job summary

Skylo is hiring a Chief Space Mission Architect to own end-to-end space segment architecture for a new D2D/LEO constellation. This role bridges high-level constellation design with payload and spacecraft integration in a fast-moving startup.

Ideal candidates have space mission architecture and hands-on spacecraft experience, with a focus on LEO platforms and cross-functional collaboration across hardware, software, product, and government partners.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in space mission architecture or space systems engineering, with a focus on LEO constellations or similar complex space systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical engineering, physics, or related field; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Hands-on experience in spacecraft design and manufacturing, preferably with small satellites or LEO platforms.
• Direct experience with communications payload development and/or integration (cellular, broadband, RF, SDR, or similar advanced comms systems).
• Strong skills in mission and system-level modeling and analysis (e.g., link budgets, constellation coverage, performance simulations).
• Demonstrated ability to define and manage mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interface control across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Track record of thriving in ambiguous, fast-paced environments—self-starter, comfortable taking ownership and driving decisions with imperfect information.

Responsibilities

• Architect an advanced D2D mission, including constellation geometry, coverage strategies, link budgets, and overall system performance allocations.
• Define and maintain mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces across space, ground, and user segments for a dual-use (commercial and government) system.
• Lead constellation-level trade studies (orbit design, platform selection, launch strategy, inter-sat links, spectrum use) to optimize capacity, resiliency, and cost.
• Drive the architecture, requirements, and integration approach for payloads (RF, digital, processing) to meet mission KPIs.
• Work with spacecraft design and manufacturing teams to ensure the LEO platform supports mission, payload, and production needs at scale.
• Own end-to-end mission performance modeling and simulation, including link analysis and coverage simulations.
• Partner with ground systems, network, and product teams to translate user requirements into system-level design and test criteria.

Skills

Space mission architecture

Space systems engineering

LEO communications

CONOPS & requirements

Payload development

Modeling & simulations

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in aerospace engineering

Bachelor’s in electrical engineering

Physics degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The world still has coverage blind spots. You could help eliminate them at Skylo.

Skylo has pioneered a standards-based approach to satellite connectivity. We connect smartphones and IoT devices directly to satellites. No special hardware, no entirely new networks. Just billions of existing devices, suddenly reachable anywhere on Earth. We're not building toward this future. We're already in it.

Our direct-to-device service is live on millions of activated devices across five continents, covering more than 72 million square kilometers, in partnership with leading satellite operators, mobile network operators, Tier-1 chipset makers, and OEMs worldwide. And we're just getting started.

At the heart of it all is Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN: a 3GPP standards-based, cloud-native platform that seamlessly bridges terrestrial and satellite networks. It's the infrastructure that makes true anywhere, anytime connectivity possible.

When you join Skylo, you'll work at the intersection of three markets reshaping how the world stays connected: mass-market consumer devices, automotive, and industrial IoT. Enabling people outdoors and critical workflows in the world's most remote places.

This role can be performed remotely with a preference for candidates located in Mountain View, CA, where we are onsite three days per week.

Summary Of How You Will Impact Skylo

Skylo is hiring a Chief Space Mission Architect for our next‑generation Direct‑to‑Device (D2D) / Direct‑to‑Cell LEO constellation, owning the end‑to‑end space segment architecture from concept through on‑orbit operations. This role is highly cross‑functional and ideal for a self‑starter who can move between high‑level constellation design and detailed payload and spacecraft integration in a fast‑moving startup.

How You Will Contribute

• Architect an advanced D2D communications mission, including constellation geometry, coverage strategies, link budgets, and overall system performance allocations.
• Define and maintain mission‑level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces across space, ground, and user segments for a dual‑use (commercial and government) communications system.
• Lead constellation‑level trade studies (orbit design, platform selection, launch strategy, inter‑sat links, spectrum use) to optimize capacity, resiliency, and cost.
• Drive the architecture, requirements, and integration approach for advanced communications payloads (RF, digital, and associated processing), ensuring they meet mission KPIs.
• Work closely with spacecraft design and manufacturing teams to ensure the LEO platform supports mission, payload, and production needs at scale.
• Own end‑to‑end mission performance modeling and simulation, including link analysis, capacity modeling, and coverage simulations.
• Partner with ground systems, network, and product teams to translate user‑level service requirements into system‑level design and test criteria.
• Support system integration, environmental test campaigns, and on‑orbit validation, including troubleshooting and root‑cause analysis at the constellation level.
• Contribute to technical roadmap, proposals, and customer engagements with government and commercial partners, clearly articulating architecture choices and tradeoffs.
• Champion a “build fast, learn fast” culture, mentoring engineers and helping establish best practices in mission and systems engineering.

What We Look For

• Significant experience in space mission architecture or space systems engineering, with a focus on LEO communications constellations or similar complex space systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related field; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
• Hands‑on experience in spacecraft design and manufacturing, preferably with small satellites or LEO platforms.
• Direct experience with communications payload development and/or integration (e.g., cellular, broadband, RF, SDR, or similar advanced comms systems).
• Strong skills in mission and system‑level modeling and analysis (e.g., link budgets, constellation coverage, performance simulations).
• Demonstrated ability to define and manage mission‑level requirements, CONOPS, and interface control across multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Track record of thriving in ambiguous, fast‑paced environments—self‑starter, comfortable taking ownership and driving decisions with imperfect information.
• Excellent communication skills, able to work across hardware, software, product, and business stakeholders.
• Every role at Skylo uses AI tools daily to amplify output. We expect active habits using AI tools and a track record of folding new ones into your workflow quickly

Security and eligibility

• U.S. person (citizen or permanent resident) required due to export control and government customer requirements.
• Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a TS‑level clearance.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation packages including a stock option based equity program
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan
• Monthly allowances for wellness and education reimbursement
• A generous time off policy, holidays, and the opportunity to temporarily work abroad
• Once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of developing and running world’s first commercial, live direct-to-device satellite network and service
• Access to world‑class team and talent across tech domains: software, hardware, chipsets, telecom, satellite and network virtualization
• Open, transparent, inclusive culture that blends the Silicon Valley, Nordic and South Asia characteristics

Additional information

The compensation range for this position is: $255,000 - $270,000. This range reflects the low and high end of the range Skylo reasonably and generally expects to pay the hired candidate in this role.

EEO Statement

Skylo is an equal-opportunity employer and we celebrate diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, caste, sex, sexual orientation, parent or caregiver status, political affiliation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic makeup, marital status, or military service consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. Please let us know if you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability.