Mission Payload Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place To Work", has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers' critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.
Stellar Solutions is seeking a skilled Systems Engineer to support the development of first-of-kind space vehicles, mission payloads, and operational capabilities. This role provides Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance to a government rapid capabilities organization responsible for delivering advanced space capabilities at the speed of warfighting relevance. The successful candidate will bring expertise in cryptographic and satellite communications systems, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to deliver results within a high-profile, fast-paced environment.

You will work within a small, highly empowered team in which each member contributes directly to program success. Engineering responsibilities span space-rated cryptographic and communications hardware and software, mission payloads, and integration with supporting subsystems, sensors, and processors. You will provide technical insight into state-of-the-art Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, commercial, and legacy space vehicle systems while clearly communicating complex findings to program management and executive leadership.

Key responsibilities include:

Support the design, interpretation, and analysis of technical solutions for complex space programs and projects.
• Lead or support programs, projects, and tasks requiring disciplined engineering oversight.
• Plan and perform engineering research, design development, systems analysis, and related assignments in accordance with engineering and customer specifications.
• Provide technical leadership for major projects or programs and ensure engineering activities align with mission objectives.
• Develop and manage system requirements from project inception through completion for complex programs.
• Coordinate with government teams, mission partners, and supporting organizations to align systems engineering activities with delivery milestones.
• Evaluate design trades and advise stakeholders on associated cost, schedule, performance, and technical impacts.
• Assess proposed execution plans and identify risks to program performance, schedule, and budget.
• Evaluate program deliverables against established standards, metrics, requirements, and intended warfighting outcomes.
• Provide strategic advice, technical guidance, and engineering expertise to program and project personnel.
• Conduct detailed analyses and recommend improvements to the development, optimization, integration, or maintenance of mission-critical capabilities.
• Define technical needs, lead studies and surveys, analyze resulting data, and recommend solutions to complex customer challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of relevant Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or industry experience.
• Experience developing and fielding cryptographic and satellite communications systems.
• Understanding of the space operational environment and associated mission-user needs.
• Knowledge of space mission payload engineering, development, and manufacturing.
• Experience with Department of Defense program management, including program development and transition.
• Experience developing or managing Integrated Master Schedules and program risks.
• Experience preparing, reviewing, or executing Statements of Work and Performance Work Statements.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and accurately in written and verbal formats.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience providing Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance to a government program office.
• Experience supporting rapid prototyping efforts.
• Experience with integrated air, space, and cyberspace capabilities.
• Experience developing, deploying, or maintaining ground mission-planning architectures and software.
• Experience supporting Acquisition Category I or II programs.
• Experience planning and executing test campaigns for space systems.
• Familiarity with Intelligence Community organizations and mission partners.
• Engineering degree from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology-accredited program or a Professional Engineer license.
• Relevant master's degree in engineering or a related discipline.

Clearance & Additional Requirements

• Active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information access and Special Access Program eligibility.
• Minimum of two years of combined experience working in Special Access Program and/or Sensitive Compartmented Information environments, including at least one year within the past five years.
• Willingness to submit to a Counterintelligence Polygraph.
• Ability to maintain a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information clearance as a condition of employment.
• Five years of relevant Department of Defense and/or industry experience in Special Access Program, Restricted Special Access Program, and/or Sensitive Compartmented Information environments is desired.
• Ability to travel up to 30 percent of the time within the continental United States

Location

This position is full-time, on site in the vicinity of Kirtland AFB, NM and will require travel up to 30% of time within the continental United States

Compensation:

The typical salary range for this position is USD $151,000 - $170,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for a comprehensive total rewards package that includes an annual performance bonus, an employer-funded Profit-Sharing Plan (PSP) contribution based on base compensation, and comprehensive employer-paid medical benefits, PTO pay-out options, along with additional company-sponsored benefits. All of these benefits represent an additional 30-40% to your base compensation for a total compensation package.

Deliverables will be in the format of reports, briefings, spreadsheets, or other documents as directed by the Government, using government approved and/or mandated systems/software and processes governed by guidance/instructions/policy or direction.