Space Mission Architect - D2D Communications

Space Mission Architect - D2D Communications

Mountain View, CA

About Skylo

Skylo is a global Non‑Terrestrial Network service provider based in Mountain View, CA, offering a service that allows smartphone and IoT cellular devices to connect directly over existing satellites. Skylo’s direct‑to‑device service is now live on millions of activated devices across five continents, with more than 60 million square kilometers of coverage, in partnership with multiple satellite operators, mobile network operators (MNOs), Tier‑1 chipset makers, and OEMs.

Devices connected over satellite are managed and served by Skylo's commercial NTN vRAN, featuring a 3

GPP standards‑based cloud‑native base station and core. Skylo provides an anywhere, anytime connectivity solution that seamlessly roams between terrestrial and satellite networks. Our focus is on enabling connected services for people outdoors and connected workflows across three main verticals: mass‑market consumer devices, automotive, and industrial IoT.

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 Skylo

Skylo is hiring a 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.

Remote - U.S

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…