Staff Solutions Architect ISR

The Ed Wallach Search Group; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ed Wallach Search Group is seeking a Staff Solutions Architect to serve as the technical lead behind government and defense partnerships. This role focuses on turning stratospheric endurance into actionable ISR capabilities, working closely with DoD and tactical operators.

You’ll shape mission architectures, translate requirements into payload specs, and position our platforms within contested environments, ensuring mission success across sensor phenomology and data backhaul. Travel <50% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field preferred.
• Strong background in commercial data sales and market strategy preferred.
• 10+ years of experience with 4+ years in leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Design ISR missions with DoD and government stakeholders.
• Translate high-level mission needs into technical payload specs and flight profiles.
• Position our platforms against traditional satellites and Tier 1 defense contractors.
• Lead technical deep-dives with government program managers to move from pilots to Programs of Record.
• Develop CONOPS for stratospheric assets in ISR, SIGINT, and tactical communications relays.

Skills

ISR lifecycle

Defense knowledge

Mission engineering

Technical liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

MBA or systems certs (plus)

Job description

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Security Clearance: US Citizen/Clearable

This role can also be located in Arlington, VA

The stratosphere is the new high ground. We’re deploying high-altitude platforms that provide a decisive advantage for national security.

As our Staff Solutions Architect, you will be the technical architect behind our government and defense partnerships, turning stratospheric endurance into actionable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

The Role

This is a high-impact, front-end engineering role. You will work directly with defense agencies and tactical operators to solve complex mission requirements. You aren’t just selling a platform; you are designing a capability. You’ll be responsible for understanding the threat environment and positioning our technology as a critical layer in the modern kill chain and multi-domain operations.

What You’ll Do

• Mission Architecting: Collaborate with DoD and government stakeholders to design ISR missions. You’ll define how our balloons integrate into existing sensor architectures to solve gaps in persistence and coverage.
• Requirements Translation: Turn high-level mission needs (e.g., "over-the-horizon targeting" or "persistent maritime surveillance") into technical payload specifications and flight profiles.
• Strategic Defense Positioning: Analyze the defense market to position our platforms against-and alongside-traditional satellites and Group 5 UAS. You’ll help define our value proposition in contested environments.
• Technical Liaison: Lead technical deep-dives with government program managers, providing the engineering rigor needed to move from pilot programs to Programs of Record.
• CONOPS Development: Work with users to develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for stratospheric assets in ISR, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), and tactical communications relay.

What We Are Looking For

• Systems Thinker: You have an engineering degree and a deep understanding of the ISR lifecycle—from sensor phenomenology (EO/IR, SAR, SIGINT) to data backhaul and processing.
• Defense Literate: You understand how the government buys and uses technology. You can navigate the nuances of mission sets like Border Security, Air and Missile Defense, or Maritime Domain Awareness.
• Tactical Problem Solver: You enjoy the challenge of "missionizing" hardware. You can think through power constraints, link budgets, and environmental factors to ensure mission success.
• The "Plus" Factor (Preferred): You have a background in Government/Defense ISR sales or integration. If you’ve worked with the IC, Combatant Commands, or Tier 1 prime contractors, you’ll have a significant head start.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field preferred
• The best candidates will have a strong background in commercial data sales, and not just from the technical side – from the market and strategy side
• 10+ years job experience preferred, with 4+ years as a technical or business leader
• MBA, PMP, Systems certifications a plus
• Travel: Some travel expected (<50%)

This role can also be located in Arlington, VA