AstroTalentSpace Jobs

Mission Planning Engineer - MOPS Verified today

AST SpaceMobile · Barcelona, Spain · Space Systems · first seen 2026-09-22
Apply at AST SpaceMobile →

About the role

AST SpaceMobile is building the first global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard mobile devices. We are seeking a Mission Planning Engineer to develop, automate, and maintain the mission operations processes, tools, and procedures required for successful operations planning for the AST SpaceMobile satellite constellation.

This role blends mission operations engineering with software-driven automation, with a strong emphasis on scripting satellite procedures, developing operational tooling, and enabling scalable, reliable constellation operations. You will play a critical role in shaping how the Satellite Operations Center (SOC) functions day-to-day and evolves over the constellation lifetime, providing operational insight into system design while actively building the automation and procedures used on orbit.

Key responsibilities

  • Develop daily activity plan for all spacecraft in the fleet.
  • Populate and validate all procedures necessary to execute the activity plan.
  • Manage and prioritize real-time activity requests.
  • Load balance activities across the fleet and the crews.
  • Coordinate with payload and subsystem engineers to ensure parallel activity compatibility.
  • Coordinate contact scheduling with commercial TTC providers.
  • Develop, test, and validate satellite operations procedures, sequences of events, and command scripts used for on-orbit operations.
  • Script and automate satellite command and control procedures using Python and similar scripting languages.
  • Develop telemetry validation logic and expected response checks to support both automated and manual operations.
  • Modify and improve procedures based on on-orbit performance and lessons learned.
  • Design, develop, and maintain custom mission operations tools and automation scripts.
  • Develop tooling and lightweight applications to support on-orbit operations, monitoring, and analysis.
  • Build or extend user interfaces, dashboards, or visualization tools that improve operator situational awareness.
  • Interface with internal and external APIs to integrate mission operations workflows.
  • Support system-level integration tests and end-to-end testing between the SOC and factory satellite.
  • Participate in mission readiness activities including operations tests, simulations, rehearsals, and dry runs.
  • Support mission operations during LEOP and other critical on-orbit activities, including possible periodic rotating shifts.
  • Work closely with systems engineers, flight software, ground software, and external vendors to develop operational products.
  • Support requirements development, architecture reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, and program milestones.
  • Provide mentoring and technical guidance to mission operations team members.

Required qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, or Math (STEM) field.
  • 2-5+ years of relevant experience in mission operations, software development, or automation roles.
  • Experience scripting operational procedures or automation workflows using Python or similar languages.
  • Familiarity with satellite command and control operations and mission operations workflows.
  • Comfortable working in a Windows development and operations environment.
  • Experience working with applications deployed in AWS or other cloud environments.
  • Familiarity with Git or other version control systems.
  • Familiarity with the Atlassian tool suite (Jira, Confluence).

Preferred qualifications

  • Experience with multi-satellite LEO constellations.
  • Experience developing or operating automated mission operations systems.
  • Familiarity with distributed systems, networking protocols, and API-based integrations.
  • Experience creating telemetry displays, monitoring dashboards, or operator UIs.
  • Basic experience with databases or data persistence for operational tooling.
  • Systems engineering experience or coursework (requirements, architecture, integration and test).
  • Experience supporting mission rehearsals, simulations, or critical on-orbit operations.

Physical requirements

  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
  • Ability to use a computer for extended periods.
  • Ability to work in a standard office environment.
  • Ability to support periodic rotating shifts during LEOP and other critical on-orbit operations.