Space Mission Operator Intern, Part-Time (Fall 2026/Spring 2027) & Full-Time (Summer 2027)

Viasat, Inc. • North Logan, UT

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Space Mission Operator Intern will focus on commanding, telemetry, satellite-platform health, and communication links. The intern will operate and command a spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit that is demonstrating technologies intended to modernize mission communications for NASA and other space mission operators. The role is based onsite at a Viasat office and is intended for someone within commuting distance of North Logan, Utah. It begins part-time and transitions to full-time during the summer 2027 internship program.

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• Available part-time from December through May/June and full-time for the duration of the summer 2027 internship program.
• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Basic understanding of satellite subsystems, including power, ADCS, and communications.
• Familiarity with programming or scripting languages such as Python or MATLAB.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with orbital dynamics, mission operations, and spacecraft systems.

Responsibilities

• Assist in defining spacecraft bus scheduling constraints, including power, thermal, and attitude control system limitations.
• Develop and test command-sequencing logic for autonomous satellite operations, including timing for slews, data downlinks, and power modes.
• Model and integrate GEO relay and Direct-to-Earth communication-link constraints into the existing optimization framework, including visibility windows and data-rate constraints.
• Participate in hardware/software-in-the-loop (HIL/SIL) testing of the mission planning system to validate operational commands and telemetry processing.
• Document operational procedures for future mission operators.

Benefits

• Housing assistance is available, subject to eligibility.
• A range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits may be provided, depending on the position offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern