Job description

The Mission The stratosphere is the new high ground. At Aerostar, a business unit of TCOM LP, we aren’t just launching balloons; we’re deploying high-altitude platforms that provide a decisive advantage for national security. As our Staff Solutions Engineer , you will be the technical architect behind our government and defense partnerships, turning stratospheric endurance into actionable intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. The Role This is a high-impact, front-end engineering role. You will work directly with defense agencies and tactical operators to solve complex mission requirements. You aren’t just selling a platform; you are designing a capability. You’ll be responsible for understanding the threat environment and positioning our technology as a critical layer in the modern kill chain and multi-domain operations. Relocation may be available. What You’ll Do • Mission Architecting: Collaborate with DoD and government stakeholders to design ISR missions. You’ll define how our balloons integrate into existing sensor architectures to solve gaps in persistence and coverage. • Requirements Translation: Turn high-level mission needs (e.g., "over-the-horizon targeting" or "persistent maritime surveillance") into technical payload specifications and flight profiles. • Strategic Defense Positioning: Analyze the defense market to position our platforms against—and alongside—traditional satellites and Group 5 UAS. You’ll help define our value proposition in contested environments. • Technical Liaison : Lead technical deep-dives with government program managers, providing the engineering rigor needed to move from pilot programs to Programs of Record. • CONOPS Development: Work with users to develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for stratospheric assets in ISR, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), and tactical communications relay. What We Are Looking For • Systems Thinker: You have an engineering degree and a deep understanding of the ISR lifecycle—from sensor phenomenology (EO/IR, SAR, SIGINT) to data backhaul and processing. • Defense Literate: You understand how the government buys and uses technology. You can navigate the nuances of mission sets like Border Security, Air and Missile Defense, or Maritime Domain Awareness. • Tactical Problem Solver: You enjoy the challenge of "missionizing" hardware. You can think through power constraints, link budgets, and environmental factors to ensure mission success. • The "Plus" Factor (Preferred): You have a background in Government/Defense ISR sales or integration . If you’ve worked with the IC, Combatant Commands, or Tier 1 prime contractors, you’ll have a significant head start. Education and Experience • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field preferred • The best candidates will have a strong background in commercial data sales, and not just from the technical side – from the market and strategy side • 10+ years job experience preferred, with 4+ years as a technical or business leader • MBA, PMP, Systems certifications a plus Physical Requirements & Working Conditions: • Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. • Working Conditions: Primarily in a standard office environment, with occasional exposure to production or field operations, including noise, fumes, moving machinery, and varying temperatures. • Travel : Some travel expected ( Why Join Us? We are providing the persistent "eye in the sky" that traditional assets can't match. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how the next generation of ISR is delivered to the warfighter. Help us own the near-space domain. Apply today. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TCOM offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts/HSAs, EAP, tuition reimbursement, parental leave, paid time off (PTO), and company-paid holidays. The specific programs, options and eligibility may vary depending on date of hire, classification, and schedule type.

Requirements

Must-haves

Relocation may be available.
What You’ll Do
Mission Architecting: Collaborate with DoD and government stakeholders to design ISR missions. You’ll define how our balloons integrate into existing sensor architectures to solve gaps in persistence and coverage.
Requirements Translation: Turn high-level mission needs (e.g., "over-the-horizon targeting" or "persistent maritime surveillance") into technical payload specifications and flight profiles.
Strategic Defense Positioning: Analyze the defense market to position our platforms against—and alongside—traditional satellites and Group 5 UAS. You’ll help define our value proposition in contested environments.
Technical Liaison : Lead technical deep-dives with government program managers, providing the engineering rigor needed to move from pilot programs to Programs of Record.
CONOPS Development: Work with users to develop Concepts of Operations (CONOPS) for stratospheric assets in ISR, Signal Intelligence (SIGINT), and tactical communications relay.
What We Are Looking For
Systems Thinker: You have an engineering degree and a deep understanding of the ISR lifecycle—from sensor phenomenology (EO/IR, SAR, SIGINT) to data backhaul and processing.
Defense Literate: You understand how the government buys and uses technology. You can navigate the nuances of mission sets like Border Security, Air and Missile Defense, or Maritime Domain Awareness.
Tactical Problem Solver: You enjoy the challenge of "missionizing" hardware. You can think through power constraints, link budgets, and environmental factors to ensure mission success.
Education and Experience
The best candidates will have a strong background in commercial data sales, and not just from the technical side – from the market and strategy side
Physical Requirements: Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and reach. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.
Working Conditions: Primarily in a standard office environment, with occasional exposure to production or field operations, including noise, fumes, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
Travel : Some travel expected (
Why Join Us?
We are providing the persistent "eye in the sky" that traditional assets can't match. You will play a pivotal role in shaping how the next generation of ISR is delivered to the warfighter.
Help us own the near-space domain. Apply today.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nice-to-haves

The "Plus" Factor (Preferred): You have a background in Government/Defense ISR sales or integration . If you’ve worked with the IC, Combatant Commands, or Tier 1 prime contractors, you’ll have a significant head start.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or related field preferred
10+ years job experience preferred, with 4+ years as a technical or business leader
MBA, PMP, Systems certifications a plus

Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Platform: ukg
Effort: medium

Benefits

Benefits detected in the listing.

401(K)

Pto

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave