SERVICEs
Rapid Hardware Development and Supply
Custom flight hardware in 8 to 12 months, then an ongoing supply contract. Built for commercial space programs where the design is custom, the qualification path has unknowns, and you want a seat at the design table. ITAR-compliant facility, experienced with EAR-controlled work and export-licensed international deliveries.
WHAT IT IS
A development-and-supply model, not a one-time project
An Engineered Solution starts with a short engagement we call “Pathfinder.” Pathfinder will lock down the technical baseline. Joint Development runs 8 to 12 months and ends with first flight units delivered, qualified to your mission assurance spec. Supply takes over from there, on a multi-year contract with an annual cost-down schedule.
You get qualified hardware on a clear schedule. We design the right thing from day one because we’re the ones building it for years.
The model fits commercial space programs from cubesats to launch vehicles. Where the work involves export-controlled technology, we structure the engagement around your EAR or ITAR classification, and any flow downs from the end customer.
What we've DELIVERED
Our solutions, proven in orbit
We've built and delivered hardware across every major satellite subsystem, from flight computers to thrusters.
when it fits
Where the model best fits
Engineered solutions fit when three things are true
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 180 180" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g d="M 0 180 L 0 0 L 180 0 L 180 180 Z M 91.903 18.922 L 99.211 22.181 L 115.665 13.034 L 134 31.38 L 103.851 61.524 C 99.072 49.412 87.27 40.843 73.468 40.843 C 55.434 40.843 40.816 55.471 40.815 73.517 C 40.815 87.318 49.367 99.122 61.457 103.91 L 31.361 134 L 13.026 115.653 L 22.167 99.191 L 22.164 99.185 L 18.911 91.901 L 0 86.495 L 0 60.539 L 18.911 55.133 L 22.164 47.849 L 22.167 47.843 L 13.026 31.38 L 31.361 13.034 L 47.815 22.181 L 55.101 18.922 L 60.503 0 L 86.434 0 Z M 40 180 L 49.281 136.329 L 145.609 40 C 162.891 43.6 176.4 57.109 180 74.391 L 83.672 170.72 Z M 54.876 156.018 C 58.753 158.067 61.935 161.249 63.984 165.126 L 78.908 161.954 L 84.224 156.637 C 80.713 146.942 73.059 139.288 63.364 135.776 L 58.047 141.093 Z" fill="transparent" height="180px" id="i1ZpsAub2" width="180px"><path d="M 0 180 L 0 0 L 180 0 L 180 180 Z" fill="transparent" height="180px" id="ZZCoXHuUk" width="180px"/><path d="M 91.903 18.922 L 99.211 22.181 L 115.665 13.034 L 134 31.38 L 103.851 61.524 C 99.072 49.412 87.27 40.843 73.468 40.843 C 55.434 40.843 40.816 55.471 40.815 73.517 C 40.815 87.318 49.367 99.122 61.457 103.91 L 31.361 134 L 13.026 115.653 L 22.167 99.191 L 22.164 99.185 L 18.911 91.901 L 0 86.495 L 0 60.539 L 18.911 55.133 L 22.164 47.849 L 22.167 47.843 L 13.026 31.38 L 31.361 13.034 L 47.815 22.181 L 55.101 18.922 L 60.503 0 L 86.434 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="134px" id="syL2F7QNT" width="134px"/><path d="M 0 140 L 9.281 96.329 L 105.609 0 C 122.891 3.6 136.4 17.109 140 34.391 L 43.672 130.72 Z M 14.876 116.018 C 18.753 118.067 21.935 121.249 23.984 125.126 L 38.908 121.954 L 44.224 116.637 C 40.713 106.942 33.059 99.288 23.364 95.776 L 18.047 101.093 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="140px" id="Qxq15ipOV" transform="translate(40 40)" width="140px"/></g></svg>)
Custom and qualified
The design is custom or semi-custom, with a qualification standard like SMC-S-016, MIL-STD-461, or your industry's equivalent.
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 180 180" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 28.839 52.784 L 0 60.552 L 1.385 7.768 L 30.225 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="60.55200000000001px" id="gQOrEAHal" transform="translate(27.346 114.448)" width="30.2251px"/><path d="M 22.762 12.557 L 16.798 20.62 L 0 8.064 L 5.963 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="20.619799999999998px" id="xHAyNe5GS" transform="translate(148.717 92.471)" width="22.762px"/><path d="M 83.319 101.711 L 12.635 91.645 L 0 44.245 L 56.208 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="101.7112px" id="kM_zPZKFm" transform="translate(49.722 17.566)" width="83.3189px"/><path d="M 25.137 2.222 L 24.229 12.23 L 0 10.007 L 0.908 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="12.22959999999999px" id="FoQEJp0J8" transform="translate(153.83 72.921)" width="25.137px"/><path d="M 55.006 43.031 L 17.515 53.13 L 6.256 45.68 L 0 22.209 L 6.045 10.098 L 43.536 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="53.12950000000001px" id="ryzxIg1Ar" transform="translate(1 65.549)" width="55.0057px"/><path d="M 13.372 5.129 L 17.613 21.036 L 13.809 29.165 L 7.774 30.79 L 0 1.625 L 6.035 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="30.790300000000002px" id="pxWZFJ9hP" transform="translate(121.297 50.678)" width="17.613px"/><path d="M 29.503 9.706 L 2.587 16.956 L 0 7.25 L 26.916 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="16.9559px" id="lqkV5lnEV" transform="translate(149.497 47.028)" width="29.502999999999986px"/><path d="M 25.642 8.209 L 5.764 22.312 L 0 14.103 L 19.878 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="22.3123px" id="s_9o6sXEm" transform="translate(141.586 22.892)" width="25.641999999999996px"/><path d="M 17.478 3.985 L 9.175 23.303 L 0 19.318 L 8.302 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="23.302770000000002px" id="RuVn7wGrx" transform="translate(128.401 5)" width="17.47799999999998px"/></svg>)
Design collaboration
You want design influence and development collaboration, not a black-box deliverable handed over at the end.
![](data:image/svg+xml,<svg display="block" role="presentation" viewBox="0 0 180 180" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M 50.254 78.711 C 50.254 47.688 37.28 19.683 16.508 0 L 0 17.422 C 16.153 32.728 26.254 54.501 26.254 78.711 C 26.254 102.921 16.153 124.693 0 140 L 16.508 157.422 C 37.28 137.739 50.254 109.733 50.254 78.711 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="157.42190000000002px" id="lViHz0Y7Z" transform="translate(125.746 11.289)" width="50.254000000000005px"/><path d="M 0 78.711 C 0 47.688 12.974 19.683 33.746 0 L 50.254 17.422 C 34.1 32.728 24 54.501 24 78.711 C 24 102.921 34.1 124.693 50.254 140 L 33.746 157.422 C 12.974 137.739 0 109.733 0 78.711 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="157.42190000000002px" id="Cop3y8Ga5" transform="translate(4 11.289)" width="50.2539px"/><path d="M 0 16.971 L 21.515 38.485 L 0 60 L 16.971 76.97 L 38.485 55.456 L 60 76.97 L 76.97 60 L 55.456 38.485 L 76.97 16.971 L 60 0 L 38.485 21.515 L 16.971 0 Z" fill="rgb(0, 0, 0)" height="76.97040000000001px" id="FeuZpXEAC" transform="translate(51.515 51.515)" width="76.97040000000001px"/></svg>)
Unknown variables
The qualification path has unknowns that make fixed-price contracts too risky or too expensive for either side to carry alone.
Where we've delivered
Industries
Commercial Satellites in LEO ▪ Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTVs) ▪ Launch Vehicles ▪ Hybrid-Electric Aircrafts ▪ Supersonic Aircrafts ▪ Hypersonic Aircrafts
WHAT IT ISN'T
What an engineered solution isn't
Contrasts to draw before the first call
Not a consulting engagement
You receive qualified hardware, not analysis or a strategy memo. If you only need expert advice or a design review, SOE’s Consulting services fits better.
Not a fixed-price design-build contract
Fixed-price works when the qualification path is well understood. When it isn't, the price either bakes in heavy risk premium and you overpay, or it doesn't cover what the program actually needs. Engineered Solutions uses Time and Materials during development. Development rates decrease down once you sign Supply, so neither side carries the cost of derisking alone.
Not for COTS procurement
This is for custom and semi-custom designs. If a catalog part meets your spec, buy the catalog part. We'll tell you the same. If you are interested in an as is or configured product, see our Configurable Products.
Not a one-and-done handoff
The model centers on long-term supply. You can exit at the end of Joint Development if you choose to, but the value compounds when we keep building the hardware for you.
On a flight program with an urgent issue? See Aerospace Root Cause Analysis.
HOW IT WORKS
From concept to flight units
Three phases, low up-front commitment, supply priced to share the development cost
commercial terms
A formal review cadence
Built into every Joint Development
Joint Development isn’t a black box. We typically run the same five program reviews aerospace teams expect to see, with deliverables matched to each milestone. If your program has its own review structure that we must comply with, we can align ours to match.
Architecture Design Review
ADR
▪
Block diagrams, critical architecture trades
▪
Requirements table with verification strategy
Preliminary Design Review
PDR
▪
Key design trades
▪
Schematics, CAD envelopes, critical pinouts
▪
Simulations, analyses results
▪
Test campaign overview with initial test rack design
Critical Design Review
CDR
▪
Engineering Unit test results
▪
Design details with planned ECOs
▪
Test plans with types, levels, and durations
▪
Refined test schedule, rack design, and equipment needed
Test Readiness Review
TRR
▪
Engineering Unit test results
▪
Design details with planned ECOs
▪
Test plans with types, levels, and durations
▪
Refined test schedule, rack design, and equipment needed
System Verification Review
SVR
▪
Review of product performance and compliance with requirements
▪
ECOs for future generations
▪
Closeout meeting
commercial terms
What we commit to
and what you bring
PHASE 1
Pathfinder
ENGAGEMENT MODEL
$50k retainer
Fits most component programs. Scales for larger engagements.
WHAT YOU BRING
✓
Business case for the technology
✓
Competitive landscape
✓
Mission requirements
✓
Technical constraints
✓
Program goals
PHASE 2
Joint Development
ENGAGEMENT MODEL
Time and Materials
Rates step down once you sign the Supply contract, to share development cost.
WHAT YOU BRING
✓
Regular collboration
✓
Design review participation
✓
Access to system-level test environments
✓
Interface specs from adjacent subsystems
PHASE 3
Supply
ENGAGEMENT MODEL
Open book pricing
Shared annual unit cost reduction targets
WHAT YOU BRING
✓
Delivery schedule
✓
Demand forecast
✓
Quality and acceptance criteria
IP AND OWNERSHIP
You own the design and all Deliverables. Two paths: pay full development rates and IP transfers at the end of Joint Development, or commit to Supply for discounted development rates and IP transfers at Supply.
EXPORT CONTROL
SOE operates an ITAR-compliant facility. We have experience with EAR, ITAR, and export licenses, including export-controlled deliveries to international customers. Bring your control classification to the Pathfinder phase and we structure the engagement around it.
track record
Built on what we've already shipped
Engineered Solutions aren't a new idea. It’s the model behind the hardware we’ve already put in the field.
Hardware in SOE’s avionics catalog
Automated test systems and root cause strategies
100%
of avionics we've flown have completed their missions
100+
clients supported, the majority in aerospace
250+
engagements, including root cause analyses on products in the field
Our process
Engineered Solutions draws from our library of pre-existing IP and processes we’ve validated on prior aerospace programs: flight computers, power conversion and distribution, motor controllers, RF systems, sensor architectures, valve controllers, battery management systems, payload controllers. We don’t start from a blank page.
We also maintain a library of non-aerospace components with shorter lead times and lower BOM cost that we’ve already taken to flight. The selection is governed by a “Careful COTS” process that covers radiation test reports, IC fabrication process, and prior flight performance to qualify parts that aren’t on a rad-hard catalog. When the program calls for radiation-hardened parts, we use them. When a screened commercial part will fly, we don’t make you wait for rad-hard. The choice gets made on data, not habit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the IP?
You do. You own the design and all Deliverables.
The only question is when the IP transfers. It transfers at the end of Joint Development if you pay full development rates, or at the beginning of Supply if you sign the Supply contract for discounted development rates.
What if I don't want to commit to Supply?
You're not required to. You can take the IP at the end of Joint Development by paying full development rates. The model centers on long-term supply, but because our customers often need flexibility the off-ramp is built in.
Why isn't this offered as a fixed price?
We use Time & Materials for development (T&M) because the qualification path has unknowns. Fixed-price contracts handle unknowns by adding a risk premium. That premium either inflates your price or starves the program of work it actually needs. We give you a Not-to-Exceed (NTE) estimate for development. Our goal is to build the right thing and hold to that number. When the larger program shifts and scope has to change, we say so directly and walk through the options with you. No silent absorption. No scope-creep fights.
What does the $50k Pathfinder buy?
A development and supply plan sized to your program. Technical baseline, key risks, schedule, and a costed plan for both Joint Development and Supply. It's a low-commitment way to get to a number you can take back to your team or board.
How is this different from hiring an engineering consultant?
A consultant delivers advice. An Engineered Solution delivers qualified hardware and then ongoing supply. If you only need expert analysis or a design review, our other services fit better.
What qualification standards have you delivered to?
The avionics referenced above include hardware qualified to SMC-S-016 and MIL-STD-461. Bring your specific spec to the Pathfinder phase. We'll tell you what we've delivered against and what we'd plan to do for your program.
We're not in aerospace. Does this model still apply?
Yes. The model fits any program where the design is custom or semi-custom, the qualification path has unknowns, and you want design influence. Aerospace is where we have the deepest flight history. The structure isn't aerospace-specific.
What happens if requirements change mid-development?
First we will verify that the change in requirements is in alignment with the right solution for your needs. Then we will scope the change, cost it, review with you to verify, and then fold it into the plan. The design review cadence catches direction changes early, before they cost you a redesign.
How fast can we start?
When working with new customers it is on average 1-4 weeks to go from first call through final contracts. If you have an urgent, program critical need please see our Root Cause Solution, and reach out with a description of your need.
CONTACT
Contact us
We’d love to learn about what you’re working on. Share a few details about your project using the form!
If you'd prefer to email or call us instead, reach us directly at connect@soeffects.com or (424) 290-0617.