Mission Operations Engineer II - Ground Segment Verified today

About the Role

Vast is developing next-generation space stations and space infrastructure. Haven Demo's 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Haven-1 is expected to become the world's first commercial space station when it launches in 2027.

As Mission Operations Engineer II - Ground Segment, you will support planning and execution of Vast missions, reporting to the Lead Mission Operations Engineer, Mission Systems. You will design systems and author procedures to operate both the spacecraft and supporting ground systems, ensuring harmonious communications and operations between spacecraft and ground, and ensuring the integrity and validity of commands sent to and telemetry received from the spacecraft.

Responsibilities

• Take extreme ownership of large impact initiatives working with engineers across disciplines to support the development of spacecraft operations and ground operations procedures, flight rules, products and processes, culminating in the safe and successful operations of a newly launched spacecraft
• Provide technical and operational leadership as the operations expert in planning for and execution of pre-flight testing and checkouts of ground systems to ensure spacecraft and ground systems are ready for flight
• Assist with performing the operations of Vast's crewed and uncrewed missions for vehicle commissioning, on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution and final deorbit of the spacecraft
• Perform deep-dive analysis of vehicle and ground system telemetry and deliver informed summaries as well as recommendations to mission stakeholders for further review and analysis
• Formulate and lead the execution of workflows facilitating improvements to processes and systems with a focus on advancing Vast's Mission Operations while maintaining Vast's commitment to excellence
• Help strategize plans for and contribute to efforts to iteratively improve the Mission Systems, Mission Operations Software and other ground processes and collaborate with the Mission Systems Engineering and Ground Software Engineering teams to implement them
• Work closely with Mission Management to ensure customer requirements are translated to a Concept of Operations that balances all needs
• Assist and support peer Mission Operations Engineers, offering helpful input or specific items for consideration as informed by anecdotal experiences and operational best practices

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline
• 3+ years of experience in the operation of complex systems
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines
• Demonstrated ability to critically think in high stress environments and rapidly evolving situations
• Ability to disseminate critical engineering and technical information effectively and clearly
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Willing to support 24/7 operations during operationally intense mission phases

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Experience in human spaceflight mission operations
• Master's of science degree in a technical field
• 1+ years working in a spacecraft design, build, and test environment
• Technical knowledge in spacecraft systems engineering (avionics, propulsion, attitude control, communications, orbital mechanics, life support systems, thermal and power control systems)
• Technical knowledge in Space-to-Ground Communication Systems (RF, Ground Stations, Modems, Antenna Systems)
• Experience building or designing from scratch a system, process and team to perform complex operations of an aerospace system (launch vehicle, satellite, crew capsule)
• Software Engineering Skills (C++, Golang, Javascript, React, Software Architecture, Databases, Cloud)
• Matlab or Python/Octave Proficiency
• Proficient at using the command line and scripting languages
• Strong Technical Writing skills
• Strong mentorship and leadership skills

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time
• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary: $110,000 to $195,000 USD, calibrated to your experience and demonstrated capability.

Full-time employees receive company equity and a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off (20+ days vacation for exempt staff with ability to cash out unused vacation annually), paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, mental healthcare through Spring Health, free snacks and coffee, onsite barista, cold drinks, and free dinner meals, with subsidized lunch.

Export Control Requirement

The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore must either be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62 or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.