Mission Operations Engineer I

Quantum Space•Hawthorne, CA

1d•$90,000 - $125,000

About The Position

Quantum Space is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Mission Operations Engineer I to support spacecraft operations, mission execution, and real-time monitoring of next-generation space systems. The role assists with spacecraft commanding, telemetry analysis, operational procedure development, and anomaly identification while collaborating with mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams. The engineer helps ensure safe, reliable spacecraft operations throughout the mission lifecycle. It is intended for an early-career engineer with a strong technical foundation who wants hands-on experience supporting mission-critical operations in a fast-paced environment. The position is based in Hawthorne, California, and requires eligibility to comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
Foundational understanding of spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, communications, thermal, and propulsion.
Familiarity with scripting and data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow structured operational procedures.
Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
Ability to remain focused and methodical during time-sensitive or critical operations.
Willingness to learn new spacecraft systems, mission tools, and operational processes.
Ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays based on mission requirements.
Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required U.S. Department of State authorizations.

Nice To Haves

Internship or academic project experience in satellite operations, ground systems, or mission design.
Experience working with telemetry/command systems, mission planning tools, or ground software.
Understanding of RF communications, orbital mechanics, or command and control architectures.
Ability to interpret data sets and develop basic automation or analysis scripts.

Responsibilities

Execute routine and contingency spacecraft operations under supervision, including command uplink, telemetry monitoring, and spacecraft health assessments.
Monitor spacecraft performance in real time and identify anomalies, off-nominal trends, and potential operational issues.
Support the development, testing, and validation of operational procedures, command sequences, and mission products.
Analyze spacecraft telemetry data to support performance trending, troubleshooting, and mission reporting.
Coordinate with ground stations and network service providers to support successful spacecraft communication passes.
Participate in mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, and post-pass analyses.
Collaborate with mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams to support spacecraft performance and operational objectives.
Document operational findings, lessons learned, and recommended improvements to procedures and tools.
Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance mission reliability, operational efficiency, and spacecraft performance.