Solutions Engineering Lead

Quantum Space; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Equity

Full benefits (medical, dental, vision

HSA and 401(k) matching

Job summary

Quantum Space is seeking an experienced Solution Engineering Lead to shape technical strategies for critical space missions. You will act as the architectural lead, translating customer needs into executable mission concepts and architectures, and guiding solution strategies across the business development lifecycle.

You will collaborate with engineers, capture managers, program leaders, and executives, balancing performance, risk, cost, and schedule to deliver differentiated, credible solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing space systems, mission architectures, or advanced aerospace solutions.
• Experience with spacecraft design, mission architecture development, satellite systems, communications systems, remote sensing, or national security space missions.
• Strong systems engineering background with demonstrated technical leadership experience.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical solution development for strategic business pursuits across defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial space markets.
• Translate customer requirements into executable mission concepts, architectures, and technical approaches.
• Develop mission architectures, concepts of operation (CONOPS), and system-level solution strategies.
• Establish technical discriminators that clearly differentiate Quantum Space capabilities and offerings.
• Evaluate alternative approaches through technical trade studies and architecture assessments.
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies that improve solution credibility and execution confidence.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Strategic thinking

Customer-focused solutions

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Aerospace/Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or Physics

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking ForWe are seeking a highly experienced Solution Engineering Lead to help shape the technical strategies behind some of the industry's most critical space missions.

This role serves as the technical architect for strategic pursuits, translating customer needs into innovative, executable mission solutions that position Quantum Space for long-term growth and competitive success. You will operate at the intersection of engineering, business development, capture, and executive leadership—developing mission architectures, evaluating technical approaches, establishing discriminators, and guiding solution strategies throughout the business development lifecycle. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in space systems engineering with strong strategic thinking and customer-focused solution development. You understand how to balance mission performance, technical risk, cost, schedule, and operational effectiveness while creating differentiated solutions that address complex customer challenges.

You are comfortable moving seamlessly between technical and strategic discussions, collaborating with engineers, capture managers, program leaders, executives, and government stakeholders to develop compelling mission concepts and winning technical approaches.

Whether supporting opportunities with the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), AFRL, NASA, NRO, OSD, or other government customers, you recognize that exceptional solution engineering is a critical enabler of mission success, customer confidence, and company growth.

Where You'll Make an Impact

Solution Architecture & Technical Strategy

• Lead technical solution development for strategic business pursuits across defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial space markets
• Translate customer requirements into executable mission concepts, architectures, and technical approaches
• Develop mission architectures, concepts of operation (CONOPS), and system-level solution strategies
• Establish technical discriminators that clearly differentiate Quantum Space capabilities and offerings
• Evaluate alternative approaches through technical trade studies and architecture assessments
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies that improve solution credibility and execution confidence

Capture & Proposal Leadership

• Partner with Capture Managers and Proposal Leaders to develop winning technical strategies
• Provide technical leadership throughout the proposal lifecycle
• Develop technical content, engineering approaches, and solution narratives for strategic pursuits
• Participate in proposal reviews, color team reviews, and executive decision gates
• Ensure proposed solutions are compliant, executable, innovative, and aligned with customer priorities

Customer Engagement & Mission Development

• Support customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, and solution discussions
• Present technical concepts, mission architectures, and solution strategies to government and commercial stakeholders
• Help shape opportunities through early customer engagement and technical positioning activities
• Maintain awareness of evolving mission needs, customer priorities, industry trends, and emerging technologies

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead multidisciplinary technical teams during solution development activities
• Collaborate across engineering, program management, business development, and executive leadership
• Support multiple high-priority pursuits simultaneously in a fast-paced growth environment
• Contribute to the development of repeatable solution engineering processes and best practices

What It Takes

• Bachelor\'s or Master\'s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline
• 10+ years of experience developing space systems, mission architectures, or advanced aerospace solutions
• Experience with spacecraft design, mission architecture development, satellite systems, communications systems, remote sensing, or national security space missions
• Strong systems engineering background with demonstrated technical leadership experience
• Experience conducting technical trade studies, requirements analysis, and solution development activities
• Demonstrated ability to develop customer-focused technical solutions for complex government programs
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical organizations

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience supporting opportunities with:
• U.S. Space Force
• Space Systems Command (SSC)
• Space Development Agency (SDA)
• Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
• Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)
• Prior experience supporting government space organizations, prime contractors, or advanced aerospace companies
• Experience with satellite communications, space domain awareness, missile warning, ISR, remote sensing, or related mission areas
• Familiarity with Department of Defense acquisition processes and proposal development activities
• Advanced degree in a related technical discipline

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Lead the technical strategy behind high-priority space pursuits, developing mission architectures and solution concepts that shape Quantum Space\'s future
• Innovation – Design forward-thinking mission solutions by combining systems engineering, customer insight, and emerging space technologies to solve complex national security, civil, and commercial challenges
• Impact – Influence strategic business growth by developing differentiated technical approaches that strengthen customer confidence and position Quantum Space for long-term success
• Growth – Partner with executive leadership, capture teams, and engineering experts while expanding your influence across business development, mission architecture, and strategic solution engineering
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary:

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space\'s total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.