Lead Systems Engineer, Defense Programs
Job Description
Who are we?
Longshot Space Technologies is at the cutting edge of low-cost space access and hypersonics. We are developing a novel space launch system that accelerates mass over a long distance. Using our technology, we plan to provide affordable launch services for satellites, cargo, and future space infrastructure. Our mission is to enable a future where humans can reach for the stars.
Position Overview
We're
hiring a Lead Systems Engineer to be the technical face of Longshot
to the Department of War (DoW)
and the technical spine of our defense capture efforts.
You'll shape technical solutions during early customer pursuits (capture), write the white papers and design review packages that carry them, and stand in front of program offices to defend them, owning the translation between what our accelerator can do and what the
DoW
is trying to buy.
You'll
report to the VP of Government Programs, working as a peer to Longshot's engineering and manufacturing leads with direct visibility into the technical baseline for every defense pursuit. This is a senior individual contributor role today, with a clear path to building a defense systems engineering team as our program portfolio grows.
The role is split deliberately:
roughly 75%
of your time is with Government Programs on capture and execution, and 25% stays embedded with the core engineering team, because you
can't
credibly
represent
a technology
you've
stopped touching.
It's
a rare seat that combines deep technical ownership with direct customer-facing influence, rather than one narrow slice of either.
Job Details
Role Type: FTE EXEMPT
Compensation: $160,000 - $200,000 Annual
Location: Alameda, CA (Onsite)
Key Responsibilities
Capture & Business Development
Lead capture engineering on defense pursuits, from early customer discovery through proposal submission
Identify
and develop the technical discriminators that separate Longshot from conventional and non-conventional competitors
Shape technical solutions that align to customer requirements, acquisition strategy, and evaluation criteria
Partner with business development and program management on pursuit strategy, bid decisions, and teaming
Debrief the internal team on what the customer
actually said, and what it means for the roadmap
Systems Engineering
Conduct trade studies across cost, performance, risk, schedule, and supportability to defend solution choices
Perform requirements analysis, functional decomposition, and architecture development for defense applications of our launch platform
Define and document system interfaces, requirements traceability, and verification and validation plans
Proposal & Program Documentation
Author and review technical white papers and responses to RFIs, BAAs, and RFPs
Build and lead SRR, PDR, CDR, and TRR packages, including the analysis and traceability behind them
Draft statements of work, work breakdown structures, milestone definitions, and integrated master schedule inputs
Develop CDRL deliverables and ensure compliance with applicable Data Item Descriptions
Customer-Facing Communication
Track and
report
technical performance measures, risks, and opportunities
Prepare and deliver technical briefings to program offices, service leadership, and senior government stakeholders
Build capability briefings and quad charts that hold up to technical scrutiny
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field
5+ years of experience in systems engineering within aerospace and defense programs.
Direct experience with DoW/DoD customers and programs (hypersonics, long-range strike, missile defense, or space access), including capture engineering and developing technical solutions for defense acquisition
Excellent technical writing and communication skills, including preparing and delivering briefings to DoW/DoD customers, program offices, and senior leadership
Strong understanding of DoD acquisition lifecycle (MDD, MSA, TMRR, EMD, P&D) and systems engineering processes (requirements, architecture, V&V)
Experience with requirements management and traceability tools (DOORS, Jama, or equivalent)
Ability to obtain security clearance
Ability to work fully onsite at our Alameda, CA facility, with up to 25% travel to test sites, government partner sites, bases, conferences, and tradeshows.
Preferred Qualifications
Active Secret security clearance
Proven track record of writing technical white papers, proposals, PDR/CDR packages, and other program deliverables
Benefits
Comprehensive health and dental insurance
401(k) with company match
Paid time off and paid sick leave
90-day integration period
Equity Compensation opportunities
Equal Employment Opportunity
Longshot Space Technologies Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry,
age, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, physical or mental disability, reproductive health decision making, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know.
ITAR Compliance
To comply with U.S. Government export regulations, applicants must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), (iii) refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
.
At-Will Employment
Employment with Longshot is at-will. This means that either the employee or the company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice.
