Mission Systems Lead

Astro Mechanica; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

Self-managed and flexible time-off policy

Flexible work environment

Job summary

Astro Mechanica in San Francisco is looking for a Mission Systems Lead to guide the development of mission system architectures for tactical autonomous aircraft. You will collaborate across multi-functional teams to ensure effective systems integration and delivery of high-performance solutions for U.S. and coalition air forces.

The ideal candidate has a degree in engineering or a related field, with substantial experience in mission systems development. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, 401(k), and flexible time-off policies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience working RF and/or EO/IR mission systems development and integration.
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Expertise in one or more of Radar, EO/IR, RF, and EW systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead mission systems architecture and integration activities.
• Conduct trade studies for communication and sensor systems.
• Work across Defense Systems and Engineering teams.

Skills

RF and/or EO/IR mission systems development

Physics-based modeling

Communications sensors and effector domain expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

B.S. in Physics, Mathematics

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

COMSOL

Ansys

Job description

ABOUT US

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—including Duality™, our proprietary dual‑use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high‑speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE

We’re a team of passionate engineers dedicated to advancing aerospace. We’re generalists with specialist depth, united by a flat structure and a shared obsession with building things that work well. We move fast, stay pragmatic, and let engineering excellence speak louder than hierarchy.

WHO YOU ARE

Astro Mechanica is seeking a Mission Systems Lead to join our rapidly scaling Defense Systems team. The MS Lead will be responsible for directing the development and integration of comprehensive mission system architectures for advanced tactical autonomous and collaborative aircraft that address critical mission needs for our U.S. and coalition air forces.

As Mission Systems Lead, you will be responsible for working across multi‑functional teams and leading mission systems trade studies to develop and decompose requirements that drive the most affordable and lethal mission outcomes. You will design and build mission system architectures, lead analytical modeling activities to validate kill chain closure, and work closely with air vehicle and systems engineering teams to integrate mission system capabilities that deliver warfighting solutions that improve mission outcomes.

You will own mission systems hardware, software, and interface architectures, and lead conceptual design, vendor engagement, preliminary design, and integration efforts to accelerate development, integration, prototyping, and demonstration activities for timely delivery of revolutionary and disruptive air dominance and strike capabilities for our customers.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Lead mission systems architecture and integration activities for autonomous, reconfigurable, and modular open systems approach (MOSA)-compliant mission system architectures that close critical warfighting gaps
• Lead analytical and concept design trade studies for passive and active RF sensing, multi‑functional aperture integration, EO/IR, LIDAR, and EW sensors and effectors
• Conduct trade studies for line‑of‑sight and beyond line‑of‑site communications, data links, and sensors to enable effective navigation, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and autonomous combat operations in the vast INDOPACIFIC theater and contested spectrum
• Lead vendor engagement to identify state‑of‑the‑art mission system capabilities, cost, evolve requirements, assess technical and integration maturity, and inform mission suitability for air vehicle integration
• Work across Defense Systems and Engineering teams and subject matter experts to evolve system requirements, integrate hardware and software architectures, define and develop hardware and software interfaces, and balance capabilities for optimum mission outcomes at minimum cost
• Adapt or derive physics‑based models to evaluate or predict payload system performance
• Collaborate directly with customers to understand warfighter needs and translate to mission systems requirements to inform design
• Operate effectively in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, preferred; B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Mathematics or a related science acceptable.
• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
• Communications, sensors, and effector domain expertise in one or more of Radar, EO/IR, RF, and EW systems.
• Physics‑based modeling and analysis of system performance in tool(s) of your choice.
• 5+ years experience working RF and/or EO/IR mission systems development and integration on crewed or uncrewed tactical aircraft.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of current and next‑generation sensing and effector systems and platforms.
• System trade and integration experience.
• Proficiency in relevant toolsets or languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++, COMSOL, Ansys).
• Experience with electromagnetic control (EMCON) modes and EMCON emissions / communication techniques.
• Advanced communications experience (e.g., secure LPx line‑of‑sight, beyond line‑of‑sight, tactical data links).
• Advanced sensing domain experience (e.g., EO/IR, ESM, EA, EW, LIDAR).
• Experience with aircraft design & integration.

PERKS AND BENEFITS

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan.
• Self‑managed and flexible time‑off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time.
• Flexible work environment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.