Mission Operations Engineer I

Description

The company builds high-mobility spacecraft platforms for national security, civil, and commercial missions, with a focus on flexibility and propulsion. It moves quickly and iterates often.

The role supports spacecraft operations, mission execution, and real-time monitoring of next-generation space systems. You will work alongside mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams.

This suits an early-career engineer with a solid technical base who likes hard problems and wants hands-on time with mission-critical operations. You will help keep spacecraft operating safely and reliably across the full mission lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Carry out routine and contingency spacecraft operations under supervision, including command uplink, telemetry monitoring, and health checks.
• Watch spacecraft performance in real time and flag anomalies, off-nominal trends, and possible operational issues.
• Help develop, test, and validate operational procedures, command sequences, and mission products.
• Analyze telemetry to support performance trending, troubleshooting, and mission reports.
• Work with ground stations and network providers to make spacecraft communication passes succeed.
• Take part in mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, and post-pass analyses.
• Coordinate with mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams on performance and operational goals.
• Record operational findings, lessons learned, and suggested changes to procedures and tools.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts that raise mission reliability, operational efficiency, and spacecraft performance.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, physics, computer science, or a closely related technical field.
• A foundational understanding of spacecraft subsystems: attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, communications, thermal, and propulsion.
• Familiarity with scripting and data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Careful attention to detail and the discipline to follow structured operational procedures.
• Clear communication, organization, and teamwork.
• The ability to stay focused and methodical during time-sensitive or critical operations.
• A willingness to learn new spacecraft systems, mission tools, and operating processes.
• The ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays, depending on mission needs.
• Nice to have: internship or academic project experience in satellite operations, ground systems, or mission design.
• Nice to have: experience with telemetry or command systems, mission planning tools, or ground software.
• Nice to have: understanding of RF communications, orbital mechanics, or command and control architectures.
• Nice to have: ability to interpret data sets and write basic automation or analysis scripts.

Conditions

Base salary of $90,000 to $125,000.

The range is an estimate. The actual offer may depend on experience, education or training, critical skills, and business factors. Highly competitive equity grants are included in most full-time offers and form part of the total compensation package.

To meet U.S. government space technology export rules, including ITAR, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a protected individual under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits

• Hands-on work on spacecraft operations and mission-critical activities that directly affect mission success.
• Exposure to next-generation spacecraft technology in mobility, maneuverability, and mission operations.
• Chance to contribute to national security, civil, and commercial space missions through reliable operations and performance monitoring.
• Growth alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced setting, with professional development opportunities.
• Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.