Mission Architect - Space Communications Systems

MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; Westminster (CO); On-site; USD 124,000 - 181,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k match

Mental health resources

Student loan repayment

Adoption reimbursement

Pet insurance

Job summary

Vantor seeks a Mission Architect – Communications Systems to join the Spacewrx team in Westminster, CO. You will define, architect, and optimize next‑generation satellite missions, translating customer objectives into technically feasible system architectures.

You will balance RF performance, regulatory constraints, and lifecycle considerations while collaborating with spacecraft, payload, ground, and operations teams. Top Secret clearance may be required.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline and 7+ years in satellite comms or space systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing RF communications architectures for satellite systems.
• Knowledge of RF link budgets, performance analysis, and system trades.
• Familiarity with FCC licensing, ITU filings, and spectrum management.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer objectives into actionable mission architectures across spacecraft, payload, ground, and ops.
• Make system-level trades balancing performance, schedule, cost, and regulatory constraints.
• Collaborate across engineering teams and with customers to define viable mission concepts.

Skills

RF communications

LEO satellite systems

Systems engineering

Architectures trades

Customer communication

Security clearance readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or related technical discipline

Tools

RF hardware

Ground segment systems

Spacecraft subsystems

Job description

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence, helping decision makers and operators navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. Vantor is a place for problem solvers, changemakers, and go-getters—where people are working together to help our customers see the world differently, and in doing so, be seen differently.

Come be part of a mission, not just a job, where you can: Shape your own future, build the next big thing, and change the world.

To be eligible for this position, you must be a U.S. Person, defined as a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Asylee, or Refugee. Export Control/ITAR: Certain roles may be subject to U.S. export control laws, requiring U.S. person status as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). Please review the job details below.

We are hiring a mid-career Mission Architect – Communications Systems to join our Spacewrx team in Westminster, CO. The role will help define, architect, and optimize next-generation satellite missions. This role sits at the intersection of customer needs, mission design, space systems engineering, and communications architecture. You will work across engineering disciplines to translate customer objectives into technically feasible, operationally effective mission concepts and system architectures.

The ideal candidate understands how mission requirements drive design decisions for spacecraft, payloads, the ground segment, and communications systems. You are comfortable making system-level trades, evaluating technical and operational risks, and balancing performance, schedule, cost, and regulatory constraints. You combine strong RF communications knowledge, practical satellite development experience, and the ability to communicate effectively with customers, operators, and engineering teams.

Unlike traditional spacecraft prime contractors, we do not simply deliver spacecraft and move on. We own and operate our missions throughout their operational lifetimes. Mission Architects remain engaged well beyond development, influencing mission evolution, operational performance, future capabilities, and follow-on architectures. This creates opportunities to develop expertise across adjacent technical domains and contribute wherever your skills, interests, and business needs align.

We operate with a small, highly collaborative team where ownership matters more than organizational boundaries. Engineers who are willing to grab a shovel, solve problems outside their immediate specialty, and help the team succeed will thrive here. We currently have multiple satellite development programs underway, including two funded spacecraft programs in active execution and additional mission concepts progressing behind them. This role offers the opportunity to shape both near‑term flight systems and the next generation of mission capabilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience in satellite communications, space systems engineering, mission architecture, systems engineering, or related technical leadership roles.
• Demonstrated experience developing and evaluating RF communications architectures for satellite systems.
• Strong understanding of RF link budget development, performance analysis, and communications system trades.
• Working knowledge of communications hardware commonly used in LEO satellite systems, including: RF transmitters and receivers Antennas and antenna subsystems Gimbals and pointing systems Modems and communications electronics
• Ability to evaluate mission‑level communications performance and translate customer objectives into executable system architectures.
• Experience performing architecture trades involving coverage, throughput, latency, availability, resiliency, spacecraft resources, and operational constraints.
• Understanding of RF spectrum management and regulatory processes, including: FCC licensing ITU filings and coordination Spectrum allocation and assignment processes Interference analysis and mitigation considerations
• Familiarity with LEO satellite communications architectures and operational concepts.
• Ability to work effectively across spacecraft, payload, ground, operations, and business teams.
• Strong technical communication skills with customers, operators, leadership, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Demonstrated ownership mentality and willingness to solve problems outside traditional role boundaries when mission success requires it.
• Ability to apply for and obtain a Top Secret USG security clearance after hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a Mission Architect, Chief Systems Engineer, Lead Systems Engineer, Communications Architect, or similar technical leadership role.
• Direct experience with small satellite or LEO constellation development programs.
• Experience designing, analyzing, or operating inter‑satellite crosslink architectures.
• Experience with optical communications systems, optical terminals, or hybrid RF/optical network architectures.
• Experience supporting spacecraft development through integration, test, launch, commissioning, and on‑orbit operations.
• Direct on‑orbit operational experience with satellite communications systems.
• Experience developing mission concepts and architectures from early customer engagement through operational deployment.
• Experience with communications security architectures, encryption standards, key management concepts, and secure satellite communications systems.
• Familiarity with commercial, civil, national security, or defense communications security requirements and implementation considerations.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft Command and Data Handling (C&DH) architectures, telemetry, command processing, onboard networking, data routing, and storage systems.
• Experience evaluating interfaces and tradeoffs between communications subsystems, spacecraft avionics, payload systems, and mission operations.
• Understanding of spacecraft resource management, including power, thermal, pointing, command and data handling, and network performance impacts on communications architectures.
• Experience with commercial, civil, national security, or defense space missions.
• Familiarity with mission analysis, communications modeling, simulation, and digital engineering environments.
• Active U.S. Secret or Top Secret security clearance.
• Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, Systems Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

What Success Looks Like

• Translate customer objectives into practical, executable mission architectures.
• Drive communications architecture decisions across spacecraft, payload, ground, and operational systems.
• Perform mission‑level trades that optimize performance, operational effectiveness, resiliency, cost, and schedule.
• Shape communications strategies for current flight programs and future mission concepts.
• Partner closely with engineering teams while remaining technically engaged in implementation and execution.
• Contribute beyond your primary specialty area as opportunities arise and mission priorities evolve.
• Help build a culture of ownership, technical excellence, speed, collaboration, and practical problem solving.

Pay Transparency

Starting pay for this role will fall within the listed range and will be based on factors such as experience, qualifications, skills, location, and market conditions. Candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role should not expect to receive compensation at the top of the range. The listed range reflects the expected pay for this position, and final offers will be determined based on each candidate’s experience, expertise, and alignment with the role.

• The base pay for this position within Colorado is: $124,000.00 - $165,000.00 - $181,500.00 annually.

For all other states, we use geographic cost of labor as an input to develop market-driven ranges for our roles, and as such, each location where we hire may have a different range.

Benefits

Benefits: Vantor offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond the standard, including a robust 401(k) with company match, mental health resources, and unique perks like student loan repayment assistance, adoption reimbursement and pet insurance to support all aspects of your life. You can find more information on our benefits at: https://www.Vantor.com/careers Additionally, this position is incentive eligible with a target based on contribution, company performance, and/or individual results achieved; the specific incentive plan and target amount will be determined based on the role and breadth of contributions.

Application Window

The application window is three days from the date the job is posted and will remain posted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. If the job is reposted regardless of reason, it will remain posted three days from the date the job is reposted and will remain reposted until a qualified candidate has been identified for hire. The date of posting can be found on Vantor's Career page at the top of each job posting.

EEO Policy: Vantor is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace. We believe in fostering an environment where all team members feel respected, valued, and encouraged to share their ideas. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities in compliance with federal and state laws.