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Senior Mission Operations Engineer Verified today

Turion Space · Irvine, CA · Space Systems · first seen 2026-10-20
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Turion is developing the critical infrastructure of the space economy through vertically integrated hardware and software: DROID, our line of space vehicles, and Starfire, our software suite covering simulation, modeling, planning, and operations.

The Role

You will serve as Senior Mission Operations Engineer in Irvine, CA, responsible for developing, integrating, and executing mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. You will act as an operational integrator between engineering and flight teams, ensuring operational constraints, procedures, risk mitigations, and readiness activities are thoroughly defined, validated, and aligned with mission objectives.

Key Responsibilities

  • Serve as subject-matter expert in mission operations and execute tactical operations with minimal oversight, including command sequencing, real-time decision making, and anomaly response during testing, rehearsals, and on-call operations.
  • Coordinate cross-team project and mission execution activities with systems engineering, GNC, software, and ground teams, ensuring operational implications are captured in system interfaces, requirements, and mission planning products.
  • Define, evaluate, document, and validate operational constraints across mission phases; drive updates when requirements, risks, or design changes dictate.
  • Lead development, improvement, and validation of operational procedures, flight rules, and operator workflows to ensure accurate, consistent, and reliable execution.
  • Contribute to mission risk assessments by identifying operational risks and gaps, proposing mitigations, and ensuring operational considerations influence design and mission decisions.
  • Maintain mission readiness by identifying prep risks early, driving closure of operational gaps, validating tools and processes, and ensuring teams are prepared for rehearsals and flight.
  • Mentor Mission Operations Engineers and contribute to operator training, certification, and onboarding materials.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 3+ years experience in mission operations, spacecraft operations engineering, or related aerospace operations roles.
  • Deep understanding of mission operations concepts including constraints, procedures, ground systems, anomalies, and test-to-flight workflows.
  • Experience contributing to or developing operational processes, procedures, flight rules, or constraints.
  • Experience executing or leading operational activities, rehearsals, or real-time operations.
  • Strong cross-disciplinary communication skills with ability to interface effectively between engineering and operations teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and solve complex technical and operational issues.
  • Must be a US citizen with ability to obtain TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field, or equivalent work experience.
  • Experience across the full lifecycle of a space mission (design, integration, testing, rehearsals, commissioning, operations).
  • Familiarity with mission risk frameworks (hazards, FMEA, fault trees) or readiness assessments.
  • Prior GEO operational experience, RPO/RPOD experience, and/or mission planning experience.
  • Scripting experience (Python, Ruby) for operations automation, analysis, or workflow improvements.
  • Enthusiasm for working on small, fast-paced teams in rapidly evolving mission environments.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $150,000 to $200,000 USD

Full-time employees receive:

  • Equity in Turion Space
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) plan with 3% Employer Direct Contribution
  • Generous vacation, personal, and sick days
  • Paid parental leave
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Team building activities

You may be asked to support alternate shifts, extended shifts, and/or travel during peak work periods.

ITAR Requirements

This position may include access to technology and software source code subject to U.S. export controls. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. lawful permanent resident, Refugee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1157, or Asylee under 8 U.S.C. Section 1158, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.