Operations Engineer II, Mission Planner

Iridium Satellite•Grand Forks AFB, ND

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Iridium is seeking an Operations Engineer II, Mission Planner for a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. This role involves monitoring and controlling ground systems at one of the Operations Centers, working 12-hour shifts in a 24-hour, multi-satellite operations environment. The ideal candidate is motivated, passionate about engineering and space systems, and eager to be part of an advanced satellite constellation operation. This position requires an active/current Top Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in lieu of degree.
2+ years directly applicable experience working with satellites or in the space field.
Proficient with standard Microsoft Office/engineering tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
Ability to work in a high-paced operational environment often providing off-hours support.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly present information and ideas to others.
Confidence and ability to easily build meaningful relationships with your manager and members of your team.
Must be able to prioritize your tasks, be self-aware enough to identify and correct mistakes, and not be afraid to ask for help when needed.
Active in seeking out ways to improve yourself and gain new knowledge, and be enthusiastic in sharing knowledge with others.
Work 12-hour shifts.
Be a U.S. Citizen.
An active/current Top Secret Security Clearance or the ability to obtain a Top Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

Nice To Haves

General knowledge working in a Linux operating system.
General understanding of mission planning and satellite operations.
Familiarity with software development and programming skills (Python, Perl, and/or C++).

Responsibilities

Assist with performing the scheduling of all satellite and ground resources to accomplish mission objectives.
Perform activity deconfliction, resource allocation, and determine optimal load balancing for traffic on the network.
Help with creating, validating, and distributing all necessary products for the network including satellite and ground site schedules, antenna acquisition tables, and satellite routing almanacs.
Work collaboratively with other teams to incorporate and deconflict maintenance events and special scheduling tasks.
Support the development and maintenance of Mission Planning procedures.
Identify and support recommended improvements to tools, data workflows, and processes that enhance efficiency and reliability within mission planning operations.