Mission Operations Engineer II

Description

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

The Mission Operations Engineer II supports real-time spacecraft operations, mission execution, and next-generation space systems. You will own spacecraft commanding, telemetry analysis, operational procedure development, and anomaly resolution, working with mission operations, systems engineering, ground software, and mission assurance teams.

You will help keep spacecraft safe, reliable, and operating well from commissioning through on-orbit operations. The role suits an engineer with hands-on spacecraft operations experience who works well under pace, likes hard technical problems, and wants to advance next-generation missions.

Responsibilities

• Run real-time spacecraft operations: send commands, monitor telemetry, assess subsystem performance, and triage anomalies.
• Lead the writing and execution of operational procedures, command products, and test plans for routine and complex scenarios.
• Act as subsystem or operations lead for assigned mission areas, owning trend analysis, performance analysis, and reporting.
• Support anomaly resolution through data analysis, root-cause investigation, and work with other engineering groups.
• Help plan missions, including pass planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational strategy.
• Coordinate with ground network providers, mission assurance, and software teams to keep the ground segment ready and reliable.
• Support rehearsals, readiness reviews, commissioning of new spacecraft, and post-launch operations.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to training materials and knowledge sharing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in spacecraft operations, mission control, satellite systems engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, thermal, communications, and propulsion.
• Hands-on experience with spacecraft telemetry analysis, command and control systems, and operational procedures.
• Scripting or automation experience, preferably in Python, for data analysis and operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills for assessing complex spacecraft performance issues.
• Ability to make sound, methodical decisions when time is limited or missions are critical.
• Excellent communication, organization, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Initiative and ownership, with the ability to manage technical work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays as mission needs require.
• Nice to have: experience supporting on-orbit anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Nice to have: familiarity with operational software development, simulation environments, or mission planning tools.
• Nice to have: knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, orbital mechanics, or ground segment architectures.
• Nice to have: a record of improving processes, building tools, or automating operational workflows.
• Nice to have: experience supporting launch and early orbit phases (LEOP) or spacecraft commissioning.

Conditions

Base salary range: $105,000-140,000. This is an estimate that depends on many factors, such as experience, education, training, critical skills, and business needs, so the final offer may differ.

Highly competitive equity grants are included in most full-time offers and count toward total compensation.

Export control rules (ITAR) limit this role to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, protected individuals under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or applicants who can obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits

• Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, generous leave, an FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.