R&D Solutions Engineer

HEO•Arlington, VA

About The Position

We are a rapidly growing, US-based space startup revolutionizing satellite imaging using advanced in-orbit capabilities. Specifically, our expertise lies in leveraging in-space assets for Space Domain Awareness (SDA) and Non-Earth Imaging (NEI). As an international company, we navigate a unique landscape while delivering critical services to our clients. Having recently secured several significant contracts, we are expanding our team to meet the exciting demands of our growth. To support this next phase, we’re building a high-performing, interdisciplinary team capable of pushing the boundaries of space technology. We’re looking for talented, passionate people who value collaboration, growth, and learning to join us. HEO is a post-Series A company backed by high-profile venture funds including Airtree, Y Combinator, and In-Q-Tel. We are headquartered in Sydney, Australia, with offices in London, UK, and Washington, D.C., USA. We are seeking a Principal R&D Solutions Engineer to serve as the primary technical authority for our major US Government (USG) programs. This is a high-level technical leadership role responsible for architecting and delivering bespoke solutions for national security stakeholders. You will be the technical bridge for HEO USA, responsible for delivering non-recurring engineering (NRE) solutions and driving the development of experimental features based on specific USG mission needs. As the first Solutions Engineer hire in the USA, you will be a foundational leader responsible for building and scaling our domestic engineering capabilities. While you will initially act as a high-level individual contributor, you will have the ability to lead and grow the R&D arm of our US Delivery Team, establishing the technical standards and pipelines required to support a growing portfolio. Our established Australia-based engineering team will provide technical support and guidance to ensure your success.

Requirements

10+ years of significant industry experience in space mission analysis, orbital mechanics, or satellite operations, with or in support of the US Intelligence Community (IC) or DoD.
Demonstrated experience in non-recurring engineering and the ability to build custom technical solutions for complex space domain challenges.
Advanced proficiency in Python for data analysis; expert-level experience with STK or similar high-fidelity orbital modeling software for mission modeling and orbital mechanics.
Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to manage high-stakes customer relationships and grow an engineering discipline within a startup environment.
Deep background in LEO/GEO mission operations and/or development of mission operations and ground segment software.
Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field.
Active Top Secret clearance preferred; must have the ability to obtain or maintain a US government Top Secret security clearance.

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead technical interface for major USG projects, translating complex HEO system capabilities into mission-ready solutions for government stakeholders.
Lead the “R&D to Ops” pipeline by designing and executing plans for the successful collection of NEI and other critical SDA data under challenging circumstances.
Develop novel approaches to extract SDA insights, and implement Python software to operationalize these capabilities for the Space Imagery Analyst (SIA) team.
Utilize Systems Tool Kit (STK), and Python-based libraries to model complex satellite encounters, optimize sensor tasking, and validate orbital dynamics for GEO and LEO mission expansion.
Research and implement novel analysis techniques and data visualization methods to enhance the HEO Inspect platform for national security users.
Direct the technical development and expansion of our GEO mission frameworks while scaling and optimizing our LEO operational capabilities.
Rapidly ideate and develop minimum viable products and experimental features to test directly with USG customers for rapid feedback.
Lead the technical evaluation of potential subcontractors to ensure their capabilities align with the high standards of our USG contracts.