Mission Operations Responsible Engineer/Scientist
About The Position
Relativity Space is seeking an operations responsible engineer to lead the planning, design, and execution of spacecraft operations for the Interplanetary Program's first mission. This role carries end-to-end ownership of how the spacecraft is operated — from defining the operations architecture and working directly with multiple science and instrument teams to executing operations that maximize science data collection within real-world spacecraft constraints. Automating spacecraft operations to increase spacecraft capability and efficiency is also a key goal. This is a senior, highly technical, high-ownership role on a lean team in a fast-moving commercial environment. We are looking for someone who is energized by the challenge of building an operations system that can run a complex, multi-instrument science mission millions of kilometers away and finds deep satisfaction in maximizing the science returned by the mission.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in planetary science, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related technical discipline
- 5+ years of experience in planetary missions, with demonstrated progression into increasing ownership
- Experience with scripting (e.g., Python) for data analysis or operational tasks
- Proficiency working in Linux/Unix environments
- Ability to reason through cross-subsystem interactions and their operational implications, make decisions with incomplete information and under time pressure
- Excellent communication skills across technical disciplines: engineering, science, software
Nice To Haves
- Experience with deep-space mission operations, including surface or orbital science campaigns
- Experience designing onboard autonomy, automated scheduling systems, or ground-based automation frameworks for flight operations
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning, design, and execution of spacecraft operations for the Interplanetary Program's first mission.
- Define the operations architecture.
- Work directly with multiple science and instrument teams.
- Execute operations that maximize science data collection within real-world spacecraft constraints.
- Automate spacecraft operations to increase spacecraft capability and efficiency.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and equity
- Generous PTO and sick leave policy
- Parental leave
- Annual learning and development stipend
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
