Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Turion Space • Irvine, CA

2d

About The Position

The Senior Mission Operations Engineer will be responsible for leading the development, integration, and execution of mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. This role serves as a primary operational integrator between engineering, ground software, and flight teams, ensuring that operational constraints, procedures, risk mitigations, and readiness activities are thoroughly defined, validated, and aligned with mission objectives. It involves driving cross‑team coordination, supporting real‑time operations, shaping operational architecture, and elevating operator capability through mentorship and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 3+ years' experience in mission operations, spacecraft operations engineering, or related aerospace operations roles.
• Deep understanding of mission operations concepts including constraints, procedures, ground systems, anomalies, and test‑to‑flight workflows.
• Strong cross‑disciplinary communication skills with the ability to interface effectively between engineering and operations teams.
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and solve complex technical and operational issues.
• Experience leading operational activities, rehearsals, or real‑time operations.
• Ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Experience across the full lifecycle of a space mission (design → integration → testing → rehearsals → commissioning → operations).
• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Hands‑on experience with mission operations systems, ground software, or operations simulation environments.
• Experience contributing to or developing procedures, flight rules, or constraints.
• Familiarity with mission risk frameworks (hazards, FMEA, fault trees) or readiness assessments.
• Prior experience operating in GEO and or RPO/RPOD experience.
• Scripting experience (Python, MATLAB) for operations automation, analysis, or workflow improvements.
• Experience with mission planning, console operations, or operations process development.
• Enthusiasm for working on small, fast‑paced teams in rapidly evolving mission environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior‑level technical and operational expertise across all mission operations activities, serving as a subject‑matter expert during testing, rehearsals, anomalies, and on‑call operations.
• Plan and coordinate cross‑team project and mission execution activities, ensuring alignment between operations, systems engineering, GNC, software, and ground teams.
• Define, evaluate, document, and validate operational constraints across mission phases, drive updates when requirements, risks, or design changes dictate.
• Lead development, improvement, and validation of operational procedures, flight rules, and operator workflows to ensure accurate, consistent, and reliable execution.
• Conduct and contribute to mission risk assessments, supporting identification of hazards, proposing mitigations, and ensuring risks influence design and operational decisions.
• Support tactical operational execution with minimal oversight, including command sequencing, real‑time decision‑making, and interface with cross‑disciplinary technical teams.
• Maintain mission readiness by identifying prep risks early, coordinating closures, validating tools and processes, and ensuring teams are prepared for rehearsals and flight.
• Drive closure of operational gaps such as constraint updates, procedure improvements, workflow issues, and readiness blockers.
• Coordinate interfaces with adjacent teams, ensuring operational implications are captured in system interfaces, requirements, and mission planning products.
• Contribute to operator training, certification processes, onboarding materials, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Mentor Mission Operations Engineers, providing guidance, technical development, and constructive feedback to elevate the broader operations team.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Company stock
• Equity in Turion Space
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and their dependents.
• Access to a 401(k) plan
• Generous vacation days, personal days, sick days, and holidays
• Opportunities for ongoing training, workshops, and courses
• Regular social events, team outings, and company-sponsored activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree