Space Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Raft Company Website•Colorado Springs, CO

3d•$200,000 - $300,000•Onsite

About The Position

Raft is seeking a Space Operations Subject Matter Expert (SME) with firsthand experience conducting military space operations. The role brings operational knowledge to Raft’s engineering and product teams and works directly with Space Force operators and mission stakeholders to understand operational challenges, workflows, and capability gaps. The SME translates operational requirements into actionable software and technology capabilities and supports solutions for Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Space Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and other space mission areas. The position provides operational insight during product design, development, demonstrations, and exercises, and helps ensure Raft’s products align with real-world mission needs and priorities. This is a U.S.-based, onsite position in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Candidates must currently reside in Colorado Springs or be willing to relocate. Employment eligibility requires U.S. citizenship, and the role requires an active Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance. All work must be conducted within the continental United States. Raft describes itself as a customer-obsessed defense technology company that develops AI/ML and data solutions for U.S. military and government agencies. The company offers a highly competitive salary, fully covered healthcare, dental, and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, PTO, paid holidays, education and training benefits, and referral bonuses.

Requirements

Prior military experience as a space operator, preferably within the U.S. Space Force or U.S. Air Force.
Strong understanding of military space operations, operational planning, and mission execution.
Experience working within space operations squadrons, mission crews, or operational command organizations.
Ability to communicate effectively with military operators and technical engineering teams.
Strong understanding of the operational challenges associated with modern space missions.
Must currently reside in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or be willing to relocate.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance; the posting specifies an active Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance.
U.S. citizenship is required for employment eligibility.
All work must be conducted within the continental U.S.

Nice To Haves

Operational experience supporting Mission Delta 2, Mission Delta 7, or other U.S. Space Force Mission Deltas.
Hands-on experience with operational applications, tools, and systems used by Space Force operators, including understanding their workflows, capabilities, and limitations.
Experience with space battle management, space command and control (C2), space surveillance, or space domain awareness.
Familiarity with Space Force operational systems, data sources, and mission workflows.
Experience participating in operational exercises, mission planning, or capability development.
Existing relationships within the Colorado Springs Space Force operational community.

Responsibilities

Bring firsthand operational knowledge to Raft’s engineering and product teams as a space operations SME.
Engage with Space Force operators and mission stakeholders to understand operational challenges, workflows, and capability gaps.
Translate operational requirements into actionable software and technology capabilities.
Support development and integration of solutions for Space Domain Awareness, Space ISR, and other space mission areas.
Provide operational insight during product design, development, demonstrations, and exercises.
Build and maintain relationships across Space Force mission organizations and operational units.
Help ensure Raft’s products align with real-world mission needs and operational priorities.