Staff Solutions Engineer

Staff Solutions Engineer

A confidential employer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is seeking a Staff Solutions Engineer to bridge stratospheric balloon technology with real-world customer challenges. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of high-altitude hardware, data delivery, and market strategy. An additional location in Arlington, Virginia, is also available.

Imagine a role where your engineering expertise helps solve some of the world's most pressing challenges—from bolstering national defense to expanding global connectivity. That is what you will do as a Staff Solutions Engineer for a confidential leader in stratospheric balloon technology. This is not a desk job; you will be out front, working directly with customers to turn their boldest ideas into reality. The work is hands-on, high-stakes, and changes how we use the sky.

In this role, you will architect end-to-end solutions using high-altitude platforms, integrating payloads and partner technology to deliver critical data and communications. Your days will include deep technical discussions with defense and telecom partners, translating their needs into actionable product requirements, and leading demonstrations that prove the value of operating at the edge of space. Every project you touch will push the boundaries of what near-space technology can achieve.

The ideal candidate brings a strong engineering foundation—whether in aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering—and a genuine love for customer interaction. You thrive on discovery, asking the right questions to uncover what clients really need. More than a technically skilled person, you think strategically about markets, pricing, and competitive positioning. And if you have experience in commercial imagery or remote sensing, you will hit the ground running.

This is a career-defining opportunity to become a central figure in a fast-growing aerospace company. You will enjoy the freedom to shape mission profiles, the trust to lead pilot programs, and the chance to see your solutions deployed in the real world. Compensation is competitive and commensurate with your experience and impact. If you are ready to take your engineering career to new heights—literally—we want to hear from you. Apply today to start the conversation.

Non-Negotiables

• You must be a US citizen or hold the ability to obtain a security clearance
• You bring an engineering background in Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, Systems, or a related field
• You can confidently discuss link budgets, payload integration, and atmospheric conditions
• You excel at the discovery phase, asking the right questions to uncover client needs
• You possess strategic thinking skills, understanding pricing, competitive models, and technology positioning
• A bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field is required
• 10+ years of professional experience, with at least 4 years in a technical or business leadership role, is expected

What's In It For You

• You will work on the forefront of stratospheric balloon technology, delivering high-altitude solutions to defense, telecommunications, and environmental monitoring partners
• Your contributions will directly shape the commercial strategy and global market positioning of a pioneering aerospace company
• The role offers high visibility and the chance to lead technical demonstrations and pilot programs that prove the ROI of near-space solutions
• You will enjoy a collaborative environment where your insights directly influence product and R&D direction
• This position provides the autonomy to architect mission profiles and integrate customer payloads for optimal stratospheric performance
• With locations in Sioux Falls and Arlington, you have the flexibility to live in a vibrant Midwestern city or near the nation's capital
• Competitive compensation and the opportunity to grow into a key leadership role await the right candidate

Responsibilities

• Partner with customers to understand their pain points and design mission profiles using stratospheric platforms, payloads, and partner technology
• Translate complex technical field requirements into actionable insights for internal Product and R&D teams
• Analyze the competitive landscape to refine the company's value proposition and identify winning market strategies
• Lead technical demonstrations and pilot programs to prove the ROI of near-space solutions
• Oversee the technical feasibility of payload integrations, ensuring customer sensors are optimized for the stratospheric environment
• Act as the primary technical bridge between customers and internal engineering, driving solution architecture
• Contribute to commercial strategy by helping position the technology to win in a competitive global market

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Commercial Imagery or Remote Sensing, including SAR, EO/IR, or hyperspectral data sales or integration
• Strong background in commercial data sales from both a market and strategy perspective
• An MBA, PMP, or relevant systems certifications are a plus
• 10+ years of experience in a technical or business leadership role
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field is preferred
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time
• Demonstrated success in technical sales support or customer-facing solution engineering

Ready for the Next Step?