Principal Mission Operations Engineer Verified today
About the Role
As Principal Mission Operations Engineer, you'll set the direction for how Reflect operates spacecraft as the fleet grows: the operations concept, flight rules, fault management approach, and the automation roadmap. You'll lead operations for critical activities and build the team around you.
This is a hands-on role on a small team. You'll spend time on console, write procedures, and work anomalies yourself, while setting the operational standards the rest of the team builds on.
Responsibilities
- Define the operations concept for the constellation, including shift models, automation strategy, operations center design, and ground network utilization
- Develop and maintain the operational framework: flight rules, command authority, go/no-go processes, anomaly response, and readiness review standards
- Lead operations for launches, LEOP, commissioning, and other critical mission phases
- Define the fault management and onboard FDIR philosophy with flight software
- Work with ground software to define the automation, mission planning, and fleet management capabilities operations needs
- Lead high-severity anomaly investigations and the corrective actions that follow
- Plan and lead operational readiness activities, including simulations, dress rehearsals, and operator training and certification
- Mentor operations engineers and support hiring as the team grows
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field
- 10+ years of experience in satellite mission operations or a related field
- Experience leading operations for critical mission events (launch, LEOP, commissioning, or major anomalies)
- Experience scaling operations, whether growing a team, a fleet, or an automation capability
- Solid understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystem interactions
- Proficiency with mission control software (e.g. OpenC3 COSMOS, L3Harris InControl, or similar)
- Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C++ preferred)
- Experience with DevOps tools and practices (Git, Docker, CI/CD)
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Sound judgment and composure in real-time, high-pressure operational environments
- Experience operating multi-satellite constellations or fleets is a plus
- Experience standing up a mission operations center or operations processes from scratch is a plus
Benefits
- Broad choice of medical, dental, and vision coverage; Reflect covers 100% of each base-policy
- Access to HSA, FSA, and 401K
- Unlimited paid time off
- Healthy lunches provided daily