Mission Operations Lead

Quantum Space • Rockville, MD

82d

About The Position

Quantum Space is hiring a Mission Operations Lead to plan, test, and execute operations for our Ranger vehicles from prelaunch through LEOP, commissioning, and on-orbit operations. This role owns mission readiness, daily operations, ground system integration, and anomaly response. You’ll bring deep experience in spacecraft operations and ground segment engineering, and translate that into procedures, rehearsals, and real-time execution.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years in spacecraft mission operations with hands-on pass planning, ground system I&T, and LEOP/commissioning experience.
• Experience with MAX Flight Software and MAX GDS, or a comparable COTS flight and ground system.
• Proven record developing and executing mission procedures and rehearsals.
• Proficiency in scripting (Python, Bash) for automation and telemetry workflows.
• Strong understanding of RF/TT&C systems and network routing.
• Excellent communication and incident response skills.
• U.S. Person per export regulations.
• Experience with GEO transfers, high-ΔV operations, or RPO.
• Familiarity with STK/GMAT, MAX simulators, Prometheus/Grafana, and Jira/Confluence.
• Background in rapid-turn or repeat-mission operations.
• Experience building and mentoring ops teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations for Ranger vehicles across prelaunch, LEOP, commissioning, nominal operations, and end-of-life.
• Develop and execute contact schedules, coordinate antenna routing, and ground station support.
• Plan, conduct, and validate ground segment integration and test (RF chain, networks/VPNs, TT&C links, simulators, and GDS).
• Define operational concepts, test gates, and configuration control; lead simulations and mission rehearsals.
• Operate missions using MAX Flight Software and MAX GDS including procedure development, scripting, and telemetry/command management.
• Lead MRRs/ORRs, maintain flight rules, and manage console checklists.
• Coordinate anomaly triage and recovery across FSW, GNC, power/thermal, and avionics.
• Monitor spacecraft health, power/thermal margins, attitude, and delta-V; generate KPIs and post-mission reports.
• Serve as the primary operations interface with software, avionics, GNC, and program management.
• Support FCC/ITU/NOAA licensing and spectrum compliance.
• Build and lead a small, high-reliability operations team.
• Implement 'Ops as Code' — automate checks, command sequences, and safing procedures.
• Champion a blameless post-mortem culture focused on reliability improvement.
• Collaborate across engineering to continuously evolve mission capability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Equity
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision
• Generous leave
• HSA
• 401(k) matching
• Equity sharing

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees