Solutions Engineering Lead

About the role

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a highly experienced Solution Engineering Lead to help shape the technical strategies behind some of the industry's most critical space missions.

This role serves as the technical architect for strategic pursuits, translating customer needs into innovative, executable mission solutions that position Quantum Space for long-term growth and competitive success. You will operate at the intersection of engineering, business development, capture, and executive leadership—developing mission architectures, evaluating technical approaches, establishing discriminators, and guiding solution strategies throughout the business development lifecycle. The ideal candidate combines deep expertise in space systems engineering with strong strategic thinking and customer-focused solution development. You understand how to balance mission performance, technical risk, cost, schedule, and operational effectiveness while creating differentiated solutions that address complex customer challenges.

You are comfortable moving seamlessly between technical and strategic discussions, collaborating with engineers, capture managers, program leaders, executives, and government stakeholders to develop compelling mission concepts and winning technical approaches.

Whether supporting opportunities with the U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC), Space Development Agency (SDA), AFRL, NASA, NRO, OSD, or other government customers, you recognize that exceptional solution engineering is a critical enabler of mission success, customer confidence, and company growth.

Where You'll Make an Impact

Solution Architecture & Technical Strategy

Lead technical solution development for strategic business pursuits across defense, intelligence, civil, and commercial space markets

Translate customer requirements into executable mission concepts, architectures, and technical approaches

Develop mission architectures, concepts of operation (CONOPS), and system-level solution strategies

Establish technical discriminators that clearly differentiate Quantum Space capabilities and offerings

Evaluate alternative approaches through technical trade studies and architecture assessments

Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies that improve solution credibility and execution confidence

Capture & Proposal Leadership

Partner with Capture Managers and Proposal Leaders to develop winning technical strategies

Provide technical leadership throughout the proposal lifecycle

Develop technical content, engineering approaches, and solution narratives for strategic pursuits

Participate in proposal reviews, color team reviews, and executive decision gates

Ensure proposed solutions are compliant, executable, innovative, and aligned with customer priorities

Customer Engagement & Mission Development

Support customer engagements, technical interchange meetings, and solution discussions

Present technical concepts, mission architectures, and solution strategies to government and commercial stakeholders

Help shape opportunities through early customer engagement and technical positioning activities

Maintain awareness of evolving mission needs, customer priorities, industry trends, and emerging technologies

Cross-Functional Leadership

Lead multidisciplinary technical teams during solution development activities

Collaborate across engineering, program management, business development, and executive leadership

Support multiple high-priority pursuits simultaneously in a fast-paced growth environment

Contribute to the development of repeatable solution engineering processes and best practices

What It Takes

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline

10+ years of experience developing space systems, mission architectures, or advanced aerospace solutions

Experience with spacecraft design, mission architecture development, satellite systems, communications systems, remote sensing, or national security space missions

Strong systems engineering background with demonstrated technical leadership experience

Experience conducting technical trade studies, requirements analysis, and solution development activities

Demonstrated ability to develop customer-focused technical solutions for complex government programs

Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical organizations

Nice-to-Have Experience

Experience supporting opportunities with:

U.S. Space Force

Space Systems Command (SSC)

Space Development Agency (SDA)

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)

Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)

Prior experience supporting government space organizations, prime contractors, or advanced aerospace companies

Experience with satellite communications, space domain awareness, missile warning, ISR, remote sensing, or related mission areas

Familiarity with Department of Defense acquisition processes and proposal development activities

Advanced degree in a related technical discipline

What You’ll Get

Ownership – Lead the technical strategy behind high-priority space pursuits, developing mission architectures and solution concepts that shape Quantum Space's future

Innovation – Design forward-thinking mission solutions by combining systems engineering, customer insight, and emerging space technologies to solve complex national security, civil, and commercial challenges

Impact – Influence strategic business growth by developing differentiated technical approaches that strengthen customer confidence and position Quantum Space for long-term success

Growth – Partner with executive leadership, capture teams, and engineering experts while expanding your influence across business development, mission architecture, and strategic solution engineering

Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, HSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing

Location: Rockville, MD or Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $125,000 - $175,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.