This role can be performed remotely with a preference for candidates located in Mountain View, CA, where we are onsite three days per week.Summary Of How You Will Impact SkyloSkylo is hiring a Chief Space Mission Architect for our next-generation Direct-to-Device (D2D) / Direct-to-Cell LEO constellation, owning the end-to-end space segment architecture from concept through on-orbit operations. This role is highly cross-functional and ideal for a self-starter who can move between high-level constellation design and detailed payload and spacecraft integration in a fast-moving startup.
How You Will Contribute - Architect an advanced D2D communications mission, including constellation geometry, coverage strategies, link budgets, and overall system performance allocations.
- Define and maintain mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interfaces across space, ground, and user segments for a dual-use (commercial and government) communications system.
- Lead constellation-level trade studies (orbit design, platform selection, launch strategy, inter-sat links, spectrum use) to optimize capacity, resiliency, and cost.
- Drive the architecture, requirements, and integration approach for advanced communications payloads (RF, digital, and associated processing), ensuring they meet mission KPIs.
- Work closely with spacecraft design and manufacturing teams to ensure the LEO platform supports mission, payload, and production needs at scale.
- Own end-to-end mission performance modeling and simulation, including link analysis, capacity modeling, and coverage simulations.
- Partner with ground systems, network, and product teams to translate user-level service requirements into system-level design and test criteria.
- Support system integration, environmental test campaigns, and on-orbit validation, including troubleshooting and root-cause analysis at the constellation level.
- Contribute to technical roadmap, proposals, and customer engagements with government and commercial partners, clearly articulating architecture choices and tradeoffs.
- Champion a "build fast, learn fast" culture, mentoring engineers and helping establish best practices in mission and systems engineering.
What We Look For - Significant experience in space mission architecture or space systems engineering, with a focus on LEO communications constellations or similar complex space systems.
- Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, physics, or related field; advanced degree preferred or equivalent experience.
- Hands-on experience in spacecraft design and manufacturing, preferably with small satellites or LEO platforms.
- Direct experience with communications payload development and/or integration (e.g., cellular, broadband, RF, SDR, or similar advanced comms systems).
- Strong skills in mission and system-level modeling and analysis (e.g., link budgets, constellation coverage, performance simulations).
- Demonstrated ability to define and manage mission-level requirements, CONOPS, and interface control across multi-disciplinary teams.
- Track record of thriving in ambiguous, fast-paced environments-self-starter, comfortable taking ownership and driving decisions with imperfect information.
- Excellent communication skills, able to work across hardware, software, product, and business stakeholders.
- Every role at Skylo uses AI tools daily to amplify output. We expect active habits using AI tools and a track record of folding new ones into your workflow quickly
Security and eligibility- U.S. person (citizen or permanent resident) required due to export control and government customer requirements.
- Ability and willingness to obtain and maintain a TS-level clearance.
What We OfferWith employees working across three continents, Skylo is proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. Our worldwide and inclusive culture encourages a flexible approach to work, and we also offer an attractive range benefits such as:
- Competitive compensation packages including a stock option based equity program
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, retirement plan
- Monthly allowances for wellness and education reimbursement
- A generous time off policy, holidays, and the opportunity to temporarily work abroad
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of developing and running world's first commercial, live direct-to-device satellite network and service
- Access to world-class team and talent across tech domains: software, hardware, chipsets, telecom, satellite and network virtualization
- Open, transparent, inclusive culture that blends the Silicon Valley, Nordic and South Asia characteristics
Additional informationThe compensation range for this position is:
$255,000 - $270,000. This range reflects the low and high end of the range Skylo reasonably and generally expects to pay the hired candidate in this role.
