Senior Mission Concept Engineer

About the role

The Senior Mission Concept Engineer serves as the critical link between complex customer needs and technically feasible, high-performing solutions within the aerospace and defense sector. This position drives impact through rigorous system-level analysis and the development of comprehensive end-to-end mission architectures that balance performance, risk, and cost. The role owns the conceptual design phase, translating abstract requirements into concrete system frameworks and architectural diagrams. Success in this position requires a deep understanding of how space systems interact with operational environments and mission-level constraints. The engineer will synthesize inputs from diverse stakeholders to define viable solution spaces early in the program lifecycle. This position shapes the technical direction of programs by identifying optimal architectures before detailed design work begins. The role demands intellectual curiosity and the ability to navigate ambiguity while maintaining a clear focus on executable outcomes.

Key facts

What you'll do

Conduct system-level analysis and first-order sizing of space systems to guide early mission decisions and trade studies.

Own mission opportunity assessment and internal development programs, including the creation of technical content for proposals, white papers, and external presentations to stakeholders.

Develop, refine, and communicate schedules, resourcing plans, and budget estimations to ensure alignment with programmatic goals and funding constraints.

Lead and actively participate in cross-functional team meetings to ensure proposed solutions satisfy mission, business, and technology roadmap requirements.

Apply analytical methods to convert customer requirements into coherent system architectures and concept designs.

Operate within the constraints imposed by launch, space, and lunar environments to inform design choices and risk mitigation strategies.

Contribute to the development of mission concepts that advance human exploration, scientific discovery, and national security priorities.

Utilize general engineering tools, modeling, and simulation software to evaluate alternative architectures and support decision-making.

Employ mission architecture development methods to define system boundaries, interfaces, and key performance parameters during concept definition and trade studies.

Requirements

A B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering or similar related discipline is required, accompanied by 10 years of relevant engineering experience.

Candidates with a relevant advanced degree may be considered in lieu of equivalent professional experience.

Demonstrated experience in space system development, systems engineering, structure and thermal design and analysis, avionics, power systems, propulsion, orbital mechanics, electrical systems, mechanical and fluid systems, software and controls, modeling and simulation, and/or manufacturing is mandatory.

Experience developing technical content for proposals and external customer presentations is a strict requirement for this role.

Experience authoring and decomposing mission and system-level requirements must be demonstrated through past work examples.

A strong, proven understanding of the launch, space, and lunar environments and their influence on system design is essential.

Eligibility to obtain and hold a U.S. security clearance is a non-negotiable requirement.

U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or protected individual status is required to conform to U.S. export regulations, including ITAR and EAR.

Candidates must be able to commit to the full duration and responsibilities of the position as outlined in the engagement terms.

The ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment while maintaining ownership of technical decisions is essential.

Nice to have

Understanding of full end-to-end mission solutions is preferred to ensure coherence across all system elements.

Experience with formal mission architecture development processes and frameworks is valued for structured concept definition.

Demonstrated experience writing and reviewing software scripts for automation and analysis can improve efficiency and accuracy.

Knowledge of NASA and industry engineering standards supports compliance and integration with established practices.

Demonstrated experience working in an agile environment, leveraging organizational tools such as Confluence and Jira, is preferred for streamlined workflows.

Familiarity with advanced modeling, simulation, and analysis tools enhances the evaluation of complex system interactions.

Practical notes

citizenship, permanent residency, or protected individual status is required to conform to U.S. export regulations, including ITAR and EAR.

Typical interview steps

Hiring for engineering roles usually starts with a recruiter screen, followed by one or two technical rounds. Candidates often solve a coding problem, discuss past projects, and answer system design questions. Some loops include a take-home task. Final rounds typically cover team fit and give candidates a chance to ask questions. Interviewers look for how you break down an unfamiliar problem, not just whether you reach the answer. Practicing a few problems aloud and reviewing your own past projects are the best preparation.

Good to know

Engage with cross-functional teams to align engineering solutions with mission and business objectives, ensuring that concepts are both innovative and practical.

Use analytical methods to transform detailed customer requirements into robust system architectures and mission concepts.

Operate within a technical field where launch and space environmental factors fundamentally shape design constraints and trade-offs.

Contribute to programs that support and advance human exploration, scientific research, and national security priorities at the highest level.

Collaborate with experts across disciplines to validate assumptions and refine architectural decisions throughout the concept development phase.

Maintain a clear focus on system-level interactions and emergent behaviors that arise from complex subsystem integrations.

Leverage structured analysis techniques to evaluate risk, performance, and cost throughout the mission lifecycle.

Support the creation of compelling technical narratives that explain complex architectures to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Ensure that all concept-level work adheres to regulatory requirements and security protocols governing controlled information.

Participate in internal reviews, knowledge-sharing sessions, and continuous improvement initiatives related to mission concepts and methods.

Take ownership of technical documentation, assumptions, and rationale to facilitate reuse and future program decisions.

Act as a thought partner for senior stakeholders by providing insight into emerging opportunities and potential technical roadblocks.

Drive the exploration of multiple alternative architectures to identify the most promising path forward for mission success.

Maintain awareness of evolving industry practices, standards, and technologies that may impact future mission concepts.

Support the evaluation of manufacturing, integration, and test considerations during early mission planning.

Contribute to the development of high-level system models that inform trade space exploration and decision-making.

Ensure alignment between mission objectives, stakeholder expectations, and the proposed architectural solutions.

Provide subject matter expertise on space system interactions, including orbital dynamics, communications, and data systems.

Support the development of reference architectures that can be adapted across different mission contexts and objectives.

Promote best practices in systems engineering and concept development within the Voyager Technologies organization.