Space Systems Architect – On-Orbit AI & Open Standards

Mercury Systems; California; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Mercury Systems is seeking an Expert Systems/Solution Architect Engineer to design scalable, open architectures for spaceborne, radiation-hardened EO/IR and RF sensing systems. You will define data pathways, lead customer engagements, and architect next-generation sensing solutions shaping Mercury's product strategy.

The role emphasizes an investigative mindset, customer-first approach, and collaboration across business units, with leadership in the Advanced Concepts Group Space Strategic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in CS, EE, CE or related field.
• 12+ years of systems engineering or architecture in spaceborne, radiation-hardened, RF, sensing, payload-processing, or embedded computing.
• Expertise in requirements development, systems engineering, verification, validation, qualification, and deployment.
• Active U.S. Top Secret clearance; TS/SCI eligibility preferred.
• Willingness to travel ~25% to customer and Mercury sites.

Responsibilities

• Architect and evaluate open-standards-based EO/IR and RF payload-processing modules and subsystems.
• Define end-to-end data-path architectures, interfaces, requirements, and performance targets.
• Lead customer engagements translating mission needs into hardware and software requirements.
• Design AI/ML-enabled on-orbit processing for target identification and data reduction.
• Address system-level constraints including data rates, latency, storage, power, and thermal.
• Assess risks, costs, schedules, and long-term supportability.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Customer-facing

Technical writing

Systems engineering

Architectural design

Open standards

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in CS/EE/CE or related field

Job description

Mercury Systems is seeking an Expert Systems/Solution Architect Engineer to design scalable, open architectures for spaceborne, radiation-hardened EO/IR and RF sensing systems. You will define data pathways, lead customer engagements, and architect next-generation sensing solutions shaping Mercury's product strategy.

The role emphasizes an investigative mindset, customer-first approach, and collaboration across business units, with leadership in the Advanced Concepts Group Space Strategic