Mission Operations (MOPs) Lead

ABOUT US:

Astro Mechanica is a vertically integrated aerospace company building a faster, more connected future. Our mission is to democratize high-speed flight by making supersonic travel flexible, accessible, and sustainable. We believe that rapid, on-demand, point-to-point global mobility will become the new standard for moving people and goods across the planet. To achieve this, we are integrating our advanced airframe and engine technologies—which include Duality™, our proprietary dual-use propulsion system—with a new flight operations model to make supersonic transport as efficient and economical as commercial air travel is today. In the near term, we are developing adaptable, high-speed systems to close aircraft performance gaps for the United States government.

WHO WE ARE:

We're a team of hardcore engineers who live and breathe aerospace. We’re generalists who each have subject matter expertise and operate in a flat organizational structure. We move fast and build world-changing technology in a pragmatic and competent workplace culture.

WHO YOU ARE:

​​You are a recently transitioned Air Force officer at the O4–O6 level with deep operational insight into tactical air dominance gaps. You’ve piloted 5th-generation F-35 or F-22 fighters and/or contributed to unmanned Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) development activities or requirements development. You understand how ACPs can operate autonomously or interoperate with tactical manned assets to execute organic air dominance kill-chains as well as shape how future and long-range kill chains will be closed. You’re driven to ensure that cutting-edge technology and design provide new operational advantages in the battlespace, and can translate operational requirements to weapon system performance attributes that drive systems design decisions. You can effectively communicate with key Air Force and Department of War customers and decision-makers by articulating how disruptive technologies enhance weapon system performance to achieve operational requirements and close critical warfighting gaps for the warfighter.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

As Mission Operations Lead, you’ll anchor Astro Mechanica’s operational perspective. You will:

• Develop and decompose Design Reference Missions (DRMs), vignettes, Concept of Operations (CONOPs) and Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to govern modeling & simulation activities that shape weapon system development and performance

• Shape and oversee trade studies and mission effectiveness analysis to ensure balance designs that are affordable, improve mission outcomes, and reduce mission costs

• Advise defense strategy leadership with operator-informed priorities, shaping designs to fit real kill chains and tactics.

• Serve as the warfighter voice in program reviews, exercises, and technical interchange meetings.

• Develop tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) for autonomy, MUM-T, and next-gen employment concepts.

• Participate on the Test Review Board (TRB) and Test Readiness Reviews (TRRs) to advise and shape developmental and operational test strategies and Critical Test Parameters (CTPs) to ensure traceability to Technical Performance Metrics (TPMs), Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and operational requirements.

• Build and maintain trust with Air Force and DoW stakeholders, ensuring our technology aligns with mission autonomy requirements and government reference architectures.

• Drive lessons-learned loops from simulations, wargames, and live events back into product development.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• U.S. Air Force experience at the O4-O6 level

• Direct, recent insight into how 5th-generation combat aircraft are employed by and how they interoperate with unmanned tactical ACP systems.

• Direct experience or significant insight into priority ACP development programs, emerging requirements, and latest mission autonomy activities and software reference architectures.

• Deep understanding of the latest 5th generation air dominance kill chains and gaps, and emerging autonomous and manned unmanned-teaming (MUM-T) CONOPS.

• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to work effectively across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities.

• Currently possesses and is able to maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• 401(k) program and transparent stock option plan

• Self-managed and flexible time-off policy, including PTO, paid holidays, and sick time

• Flexible work environment

• Company-funded perks, including weekly team lunches and Astro Mechanica swag

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Astro Mechanica is an equal opportunity employer. We proudly recruit and hire a diverse workforce and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.