Lead Systems Engineer, Defense Programs

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 (