Senior LEO D2D Mission Architect

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

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Medical, dental, vision

Retirement plan

Education reimbursement

Generous time off

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Skylo Technologies seeks a Chief Space Mission Architect to lead end-to-end space segment architecture for our D2D/LEO constellation, from concept through on-orbit operations. This highly cross-functional role suits a self-starter who can move between high-level design and payload integration in a fast-moving startup.

The ideal candidate has hands-on spacecraft design experience, strong modeling/analysis skills, and a track record of defining mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces

Qualifications

• Significant experience in space mission architecture or space systems engineering.
• Hands-on experience in spacecraft design and manufacturing.
• Direct experience with communications payload development and/or integration.
• Strong modeling and analysis skills (link budgets, coverage, simulations).
• Ability to define and manage mission-level requirements and CONOPS across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Proven ability to thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced environments—self-starter and ownership.
• Excellent communication across hardware, software, product, and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Architect an advanced D2D communications mission, including constellation geometry and coverage strategies.
• Define and maintain mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces across space, ground, and user segments.
• Lead constellation-level trade studies to optimize capacity, resiliency, and cost.
• Drive architecture and integration for payloads, ensuring KPIs are met.
• Collaborate with spacecraft design and manufacturing teams to support scale.
• Model end-to-end mission performance, including link analysis and coverage simulations.
• Partner with ground systems and product teams to translate user requirements into system design.

Skills

Space mission architecture

Space systems engineering

Payload development

Link budgets modeling

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

AI tools usage

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace / electrical engineering / physics

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Skylo Technologies seeks a Chief Space Mission Architect to lead end-to-end space segment architecture for our D2D/LEO constellation, from concept through on-orbit operations. This highly cross-functional role suits a self-starter who can move between high-level design and payload integration in a fast-moving startup.

The ideal candidate has hands-on spacecraft design experience, strong modeling/analysis skills, and a track record of defining mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces