Mission Architect, Missile Defense

True Anomaly • Long Beach, CA

7d • $160,000 - $300,000 • Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Mission Architect to join our team in developing the next generation of missile defense systems. The Mission Architect will play a critical role in defining, analyzing, and ensuring the successful execution of missions across a system of systems. In this role, you will own the mission definition, mission-level trades, mission technical direction, and customer alignment throughout the full program execution lifecycle, from contract award through mission completion.

Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in mission analysis, space operations, or orbital mechanics.
• Strong technical leadership and systems architecture experience.
• Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, spacecraft dynamics, and autonomous space operations.
• Hands-on experience with mission analysis tools such as STK, FreeFlyer, GMAT, or similar software.
• Proficiency in simulation tools and programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C++.
• Experience with mission planning and real-time mission support.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI or TS/SAP U.S. government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Experience supporting defense or classified space missions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with customers, stakeholders, and internal teams to define and document mission objectives, system requirements, and operational concepts.
• Translate customer and mission needs into actionable engineering solutions while ensuring alignment with technical and programmatic constraints.
• Define key mission technical performance measures to establish a mission-driven decision-making framework.
• Apply analysis and modeling techniques, including parametric analysis, to support engineering decisions in the absence of specific requirements.
• Lead system trade studies, performance evaluations, and feasibility assessments to ensure an optimal system architecture.
• Design, lead and execute engagement sequence and intercept analysis.
• Perform sensor, command-and-control, and interceptor integration.
• Design kill-chain and fire-control architecture.
• Perform system-of-systems performance modeling.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, presentations, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders, including government agencies and customers.
• Oversee the integration of mission systems, ensuring seamless interaction among hardware, software, and operational components.
• Develop system-level integration and verification plans and conduct end-to-end testing to validate mission requirements.
• Coordinate with subsystem teams to troubleshoot and resolve integration challenges, ensuring mission readiness.
• Support mission operations teams during testing and real-time mission execution.
• Apply the fundamentals of astrodynamics using software and analysis tools, including orbit propagation, orbit determination, geometric orbit analysis, and mission engineering concepts.
• Design parametric analyses and Monte Carlo studies to support engineering decision-making.
• Conduct system performance analyses, including assessments of reliability, safety, and mission effectiveness under various environmental conditions.
• Assess mission success criteria and operational risks and propose mitigation strategies.
• Conduct pre-flight and post-flight mission analyses, including trajectory reconstruction and anomaly investigations.

Benefits

• 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, with HSA/HRA options
• Flexible Time Off (FTO) for exempt employees, accrued PTO of up to 25 days for non-exempt employees, plus 12 paid holidays
• Parental Leave
• Sick Leave
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks for in-office employees
• 401(k) retirement plan
• fitness reimbursement
• Dog Fridays
• Equity participation

What This Job Offers

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