Cimarron

What Cimarron does

Cimarron is a privately held, woman-owned small business founded in 1981 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, providing command, control, software, and engineering services to NASA, the Department of Defense, and select commercial space customers. The company operates through four divisions — Civil & Commercial Space, Defense & National Security, Technical Services, and the Watring Technologies (WTI) hardware subsidiary — and has supported NASA's Mission Control Center continuously since 1988, as well as missile defense programs (EKV, GBI), the SHIELD layered defense IDIQ, US Space Force R2C2, and NSSL Phase 2 launch support.

Core capabilities center on safety-critical aerospace software and systems engineering, including the proprietary Aurora flight software framework, high-fidelity Software Integration Labs with hardware-in-the-loop simulation, real-time command and control for human spaceflight, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), and assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) services. Through Watring Technologies, Cimarron also designs and manufactures AS9100D-certified electromechanical systems, thermal equipment, and complex assemblies for defense and aerospace customers.

Cimarron generates revenue primarily through cost-plus and fixed-price government contracts — IDIQ vehicles, task orders, and milestone-based deliverables — earned via direct awards and as a subcontractor to primes such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, KBR, SAIC, Leidos, and Peraton. GTM is enterprise field sales into government agencies and prime contractors, with no indirect channels. Certifications including CMMI Level 3, CMMC Level 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015, and AS9100D underpin eligibility for mission-critical programs.

Name

Cimarron

Legal name

Cimarron Software Services, Inc.

Website

https://cimarroninc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cimarron is a privately held, woman-owned aerospace and defense engineering firm providing mission-critical flight software, real-time command and control, systems engineering, and hardware manufacturing primarily to NASA, the Department of Defense, and select commercial space customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace and Defense Engineering Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Modeling, Simulation, Digital Twins & Mission Rehearsal Systems (IMABAOAL), Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)

Keywords

• Aerospace engineering services
• Flight software development
• Mission operations support
• Missile defense engineering
• Hardware manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts - Professional Services: Cimarron generates revenue primarily through government contracts with NASA and the Department of Defense. These include IDIQ (indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity) contracts for engineering services, mission operations, software development, and technical support. Revenue is earned through labor hours, task orders, and milestone-based deliverables on long-term contracts.
2. Defense Programs - Mission-Critical Engineering: Revenue from defense programs including missile defense, ICBM sustainment, and national security systems. Work areas include Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI) programs, advanced aircraft modernization, and infrastructure engineering.
3. Hardware Products (Watring Technologies): Through its wholly-owned subsidiary Watring Technologies (WTI), Cimarron generates revenue from custom-engineered hardware products including electromechanical systems, thermal equipment (ovens, furnaces, brazing systems), circuit card assemblies, and complex assemblies. WTI delivers turnkey products built for precision and performance in defense and aerospace applications.
4. Commercial Space Services: Revenue from commercial space programs including support to emerging space stations (Starlab), commercial crew programs, and spaceflight operations. Services include software development, engineering, testing, and mission integration support for commercial space pioneers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Cimarron provides mission-critical aerospace and defense engineering services spanning advanced flight software development, real-time mission operations, systems engineering, software integration labs with hardware-in-the-loop testing, and assembly integration and test for human spaceflight and missile defense programs. The company supports NASA, the Department of Defense, the Missile Defense Agency, and commercial space customers through IDIQ contracts and subcontractor arrangements, and manufactures precision hardware through its wholly-owned subsidiary Watring Technologies (WTI).

Product overview

Cimarron is a multi-division engineering and technology company providing advanced software, engineering, and technical solutions for aerospace defense and commercial sectors. The company operates through four main divisions: Civil & Commercial Space (NASA and commercial space missions), Defense & National Security (missile defense and national security), Technical Services (engineering and support), and Watring Technologies (hardware manufacturing). Core capabilities include Advanced Flight Software (featuring the Aurora framework), Software Integration Labs, Mission Operations, Engineering Services, and Assembly Integration & Test. Founded in 1981, Cimarron has evolved from a specialized software firm into a full-spectrum organization supporting NASA's human spaceflight programs and Department of Defense missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DKI Consulting: A division of Cimarron providing Enterprise Data Management Solutions, retained after the 2012 merger.

Products and services

• Advanced Flight Software Space-grade flight software solutions for NASA human spaceflight missions, including real-time embedded flight software, high-fidelity hardware simulators, and advanced avionics test environments. The flagship Aurora framework provides modular architectures, automated test and integration, and continuous verification workflows aligned with NASA and DO-178-style safety-critical standards.
• Software Integration Labs (SILs) Advanced Software Integration Labs supporting system-level integration, verification, and validation for mission-critical aerospace and defense software, featuring hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, mission-realistic condition simulation, early defect detection, and end-to-end system performance evaluation prior to deployment.
• Mission Operations Real-time command and control for human spaceflight, including mission planning, astronaut and flight controller training, and console operations for NASA exploration and LEO missions. Cimarron has supported NASA's Mission Control Center continuously since 1988.
• Engineering Services Cross-disciplinary engineering services spanning systems, mechanical, electrical, software, and test engineering with model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital workflows for air, space, and ground domains across NASA and DoD programs.
• Assembly Integration & Test (AI&T) Assembly, integration, and test of complex aerospace and defense systems, handling everything from precision subassemblies to fully integrated hardware with strict adherence to quality, environmental, and performance standards.
• Civil & Commercial Space Division Services Supports NASA and commercial space missions including Artemis, Commercial Crew and Cargo, ISS, commercial space stations (e.g., Starlab), and next-generation LEO and lunar platforms with spacecraft design, flight software, assembly, testing, and mission operations.
• Defense & National Security Division Services Missile defense, nuclear triad infrastructure, advanced aircraft, and complex space and intelligence systems engineering with support for Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), advanced communications, ISR systems, FPGA/ASIC development, and real-time embedded software.
• Technical Services Division Services Elite technical talent and engineering support for aerospace, defense, and energy sectors including launch systems, spacecraft assembly, integration, testing, and operations support tailored to customer needs.
• Watring Technologies (WTI) Precision Hardware Products AS9100D-certified custom-engineered hardware and control systems including electromechanical prototypes, thermal equipment (ovens, furnaces, brazing systems), circuit card assemblies, and complex assembly, integration and test services with 10K clean room capabilities for defense and aerospace customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• NASA Mission Control operations support since 1988 with continuous delivery of mission-critical systems
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Missile Defense Agency (MDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Cimarron was awarded the MDA SHIELD (Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense) IDIQ contract with a ceiling of $151 billion. This encompasses a broad range of work areas enabling rapid delivery of innovative missile defense capabilities to the warfighter.
• KBRcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cimarron is a member of the KBR team awarded NASA's Integrated Mission Operations Contract III (IMOC III) at Johnson Space Center. Provides support for spaceflight operations capability development and execution including ISS operations and Artemis missions.
• SAICmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cimarron is part of the SAIC team awarded the NASA Safety and Mission Assurance Engineering Contract III (SMAEC). Provides safety, reliability, and quality engineering support for NASA programs in deep space.
• LeidosmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cimarron continues support to Leidos and NASA on the NASA Cargo Mission Contract 4 (CMC4). Provides mission support for ISS, Artemis campaign, and cargo missions.
• US Space ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cimarron is part of the US Space Force's R2C2 (Rapid Resilient Command and Control) program for developing next-generation ground system built on commercial cloud architecture.
• StarlabmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cimarron supports commercial space station development on the Starlab program, partnering with commercial innovators for next-generation LEO platforms.
• Watring TechnologiescoreOthers · 1 January 2021Cimarron acquired Watring Technologies, Inc., a Huntsville, Alabama technology-based design and manufacturing company specializing in custom hardware and turnkey solutions for Aerospace and Defense. WTI operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
• United Launch Alliance (ULA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Cimarron is part of ULA team selected as launch provider for U.S. Space Force's National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 procurement. Provides engineering support for Vulcan Centaur team and national security missions.
• PeratonmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Cimarron is a member of the Peraton team awarded NASA's Space Exploration Network Services and Evolution (SENSE) contract. Supports relay and direct-to-earth networks and evolution toward future architecture at Goddard Space Flight Center.
• BechtelmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Cimarron is a member of the Bechtel team awarded NASA's Mobile Launcher 2 (ML2) contract for the ground structure to assemble, process, and launch SLS Block 1B rocket and Orion spacecraft from Launch Pad 39B at KSC.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Cimarron was awarded the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) Technical Services contract. Has supported Lockheed Martin for over 25 years including Orion program support under this five-year IDIQ contract.
• L3 CommunicationsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Cimarron is a member of the L3 Communications team awarded US Air Force NETCENTS-2 (NetOps and Application Services) contracts providing netcentric and IT solutions for the Department of Defense.
• Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Cimarron is a member of the SGT team awarded NASA's IMOC II contract. Provides support for Mission Operations Directorate, ISS Program, and Flight Crew Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center for nine-year period.
• Wyle LaboratoriesmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Cimarron is a member of the Wyle team awarded NASA's Fully Integrated Lifecycle Mission Support Services (FILMSS) contract supporting flight programs at NASA's Ames Research Center.
• DKI ConsultingcoreOthers · 1 January 2012Cimarron merged with DKI Consulting in 2012, expanding capabilities in Enterprise Data Management Solutions. DKI became a Commercial Division of Cimarron, adding years of experience and accelerating growth.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KBR: Major government services contractor leading the IMOC III consortium that includes Cimarron. KBR is a direct peer in NASA mission operations support, science and engineering services, and defense/aerospace technical services, competing for the same IDIQ contracts and consortium positions.
• SAIC: Major federal IT and engineering services contractor leading the SMAEC consortium (which includes Cimarron). SAIC directly competes with Cimarron for NASA and DoD engineering services contracts, particularly in systems engineering, safety, and mission assurance.
• Leidos: Large federal services and IT contractor leading CMC4 (which includes Cimarron as teammate). Leidos is a direct peer for NASA mission support, defense engineering, and mission integration services, with overlapping customer relationships at NASA and DoD.
• Peraton: Federal services contractor leading NASA's SENSE contract (which includes Cimarron as teammate). Peraton competes directly with Cimarron for NASA ground network, satellite communications, and space exploration engineering services.
• MEI Technologies (now Aegis Aerospace): Mid-size aerospace and defense engineering services company providing mission operations, flight hardware, and spaceflight engineering. Closely comparable to Cimarron in size, customer base (NASA, DoD), and service offerings; also includes hardware manufacturing capabilities.
• Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (KBRwyle): Former SGT (now part of KBR) led the IMOC II contract in which Cimarron was a teammate. SGT/KBRwyle was a direct peer for NASA mission operations, ISS support, and flight crew operations at Johnson Space Center.

Broad incumbents

• Jacobs Solutions: Global engineering and technical services firm with substantial aerospace and defense practice. Jacobs is a broader incumbent competing for NASA and DoD engineering services, mission operations, and systems engineering contracts, with much greater scale and resources than Cimarron.
• CACI International: Federal IT and engineering services contractor with significant DoD and intelligence community presence. CACI competes for similar command and control, mission systems, and aerospace engineering work as Cimarron, with a broader portfolio spanning national security.
• Parsons Corporation: Major defense and infrastructure contractor with growing aerospace, missile defense, and space portfolio. Parsons competes with Cimarron on defense engineering, missile defense programs, and space systems work, with broader geographic and capability coverage.

Emerging players

• Draper Laboratory: Nonprofit engineering and R&D organization specializing in guidance, navigation, control, and mission-critical systems for space and defense. Comparable to Cimarron in mission-critical aerospace engineering depth and embedded position on DoD and NASA programs, with a distinctive research-oriented model.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cimarroninc
• Facebookfacebook.com/cimarroninc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cimarron-software
• Instagraminstagram.com/cimarroninc

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cimarron