Mission Architect - Space Systems

EchoStar•Germantown, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

EchoStar has an exciting opportunity in our Hughes Network Systems division for a Director level Mission Architect supporting our Defense and Government Solutions Division (DGSD). This role will oversee space/ground-enabled mission architectures across its portfolio of programs serving the U.S. Department of War (DoW), Intelligence (IC), and mission partners. This role draws on Hughes’ 50-year legacy in satellite communications to connect commercial innovation with mission-critical defense capabilities of national security significance.

Requirements

Deep domain expertise in space/ground-enabled connectivity, SATCOM, software-defined networking, and multi-domain operational mission frameworks
Proven capability to establish and maintain senior-level stakeholder relationships across government agencies, defense contractors, and technology partners
Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate complex, ambiguous technical challenges and translate large datasets into actionable recommendations
High-level executive communication, technical presentation, and mentoring capabilities to guide cross-functional teams and align interdisciplinary stakeholders
AI literacy and application capabilities to evaluate emerging tech trends, automate analytical workflows, and enhance strategic decision-making processes
Critical experience driving revenue growth through global technology partnerships and cross-matrixed leadership within defense telecommunications
Existing network of senior leaders within USSF, NRO, DISA, COCOMs, and other armed services or intelligence agencies
Experience delivering polished executive-level presentations and mentoring team members to elevate overall team performance
Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, aerospace, or a related field
Minimum Experience: 15+ years of relevant work and/or military experience
Required Technical Skills: Must have at least 15 years of experience with: Active U.S. government security clearance at TS or TS/SCI level
Satellite and terrestrial communication systems integration across space, air, sea, land, and cyber domains
Front-end business development, proposal development, and CONOPs generation within U.S. DoW/IC markets

Responsibilities

Lead customer engagement, proposal creation, and technical studies to win new hardware, software, and service business across military and intelligence markets
Architect advanced system CONOPs, mission requirements, and multi-domain connectivity solutions that align with government operational needs
Drive multi-disciplinary team alignment across R&D, engineering, and partner organizations to ensure market relevance and seamless execution
Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and competitive products to maintain market differentiation
Leverage AI tools and data analytics to accelerate system architecture evaluations, synthesize market research, and optimize business development efforts
Define near-term and long-term strategic growth initiatives alongside senior leadership while capturing adjacent organic growth opportunities on active programs