Solutions Engineering Lead

Quantum Space; Rockville (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Space based in Rockville, Maryland is looking for a Solution Engineering Lead to shape technical strategies for critical space missions. This role encompasses leading solution development for both defense and commercial markets, ensuring alignment with customer needs and technical excellence.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aerospace engineering, with 10+ years of experience in space systems. Collaborating across various teams, you will drive innovative mission solutions while leading multidisciplinary teams to success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in space systems or aerospace solutions.
• Strong background in systems engineering and technical leadership.
• Ability to develop customer-focused solutions for complex programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical solution development for strategic business pursuits.
• Translate customer needs into innovative mission solutions.
• Collaborate across engineering, business development, and leadership.

Skills

Systems engineering

Technical leadership

Space systems engineering

Solution development

Customer engagement

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Related technical discipline

Tools

Spacecraft design

Mission architecture development

Satellite systems

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility Ranger spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast, iterate quickly, and deploy mission-critical systems that operate reliably in the most demanding environments.

As Quantum Space continues to expand its presence across defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial markets, we 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.

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.
• 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 You Bring

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications.

Required 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.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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), Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), or other government space organizations or prime contractors.
• 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.

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.

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.