Mission Architect, Tactical Space

Turion Space • Irvine, CA

21d • $250,000 - $300,000

About The Position

Turion is developing vertically integrated hardware and software for the space economy, including DROID space vehicles and Starfire simulation, modeling, planning, and operations software. The Mission Architect, Tactical Space defines how mission needs translate into cohesive, executable architectures and solutions. This role oversees the design, development, and fielding of Tactical Space missions, including integration with ground and user segments, and works with technical teams, external customers, and subject matter experts to assess mission feasibility and architect missions. The role contributes to proposals, requirements definition, system design, integration and test, and on-orbit operations. It guides the integration of mission requirements, modeling and simulation, design reference missions, and system trades into clear, credible mission concepts.

Requirements

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in mission architecture, mission engineering, systems engineering, or modeling and simulation, including responsibility for defining mission concepts or architectures.
• Deep knowledge of national security missions for the US Department of War (DoW) and Intelligence Community (IC), primarily in Space Control and/or Space Domain Awareness.
• Demonstrated experience developing DRMs and performing mission-level modeling, simulation, and analysis.
• Proven ability to lead mission or system trade studies and support architectural development across material and non-material domains.
• Strong understanding of space mission design, tactical operational concepts, and end-to-end mission performance analysis.
• Experience working across engineering disciplines and with non-technical stakeholders to develop integrated mission architectures.
• Must have an active Top Secret clearance with SCI Eligibility.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or be eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations, because the position may involve access to technology or software source code subject to U.S. export controls.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in aerospace, astronautical, systems engineering, or a related field.
• Experience supporting business development, capture, or proposal efforts for aerospace or defense missions.
• Experience contributing to or guiding the development of integrated mission architectures and cross-functional engineering alignment.
• Experience with U.S. Government controlled access programs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as mission architect for Turion’s Tactical Space portfolio, defining mission-level concepts, architectures, and integration frameworks.
• Develop and maintain mission-specific Design Reference Missions (DRMs) to guide system design, performance analysis, and operational concepts.
• Translate customer and stakeholder mission needs into architectural requirements and mission construct definitions.
• Lead mission modeling, simulation, and performance characterization activities aligned with tactical mission use cases.
• Conduct and guide mission-level trade studies, evaluating system, operational, and architectural options to inform design and investment decisions.
• Define and communicate material and non-material architectural solutions responsive to mission needs, capability gaps, and operational constraints.
• Demonstrate how Turion’s solutions deliver mission outcomes within the context of DRMs and tactical operational environments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure system designs, payload choices, and CONOPS flow down from sound mission architecture.
• Partner with business development to align customer priorities, competitive positioning, and technical credibility within mission architecture frameworks.
• Communicate architectural insights, recommendations, and analysis results to executives, engineering leadership, and customers.
• Support proposals, requirements definition, system design, integration and test, and on-orbit operations.

Benefits

• Company stock and equity in Turion Space.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
• 401(k) plan with a 3% employer direct contribution.
• Vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays.
• Paid parental leave following the birth of a newborn or adoption.
• No-cost Employee Assistance Program for employees and their households.
• Internal training, workshops, and courses for professional development.
• Social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior