Senior Mission Operations Preparation Engineer

Astroscale

Senior Mission Operations Preparation Engineer at Astroscale developing solutions and managing operations for satellite missions. Collaborating with cross-functional teams in a hybrid work environment.

Posted 7/10/2026full-timeDidcot • 🇬🇧 United KingdomSenior💰 £60,000 - £94,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Python

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Act as an Operations Technical Lead for the mission under development
Develop Mission Operations Concept for a standalone mission or a satellite fleet
Support the Preparation Team Lead in Operations Development Plan and ensure follow through from Preliminary Design until end of mission
Develop Operability requirement and user stories with close coordination with the Flight Operations team and mission segments
Contribute to mission interface definitions (e.g. ICDs, data-budget, flight software application)
Contribute to the Subsystem/Unit and Project Reviews
Act as product owner to the Operations User manual/handbook
Support the Operations Procedure development for the Mission OPS team
Support the satellite simulator development and mission database management
Develop test specification, plan and procedure to conduct System Validation Test
Support the preparation and participate in Mission Simulation Test or similar system tests
Identify and specify tools to support the mission execution (e.g. database tool, trending tool, dashboards, context management etc.)
Act as a System-Operations teams interface during mission execution (LEOP, Commissioning, Routine, Disposal)
Support to anomaly resolution of in-flight satellites may be expected, as part of a 24/7 on-call team (TBC)

Requirements

What you’ll need

Engineering, physics or an equivalent degree
Several years of demonstrable satellite industry experience in real time operations, spacecraft operations preparation through the complete life cycle
A candidate with a primarily system engineering background may also be considered
Knowledge of space standards (ECSS, CCSDS, ISO)
Knowledge of mission control systems, SCOS-2000 or similar
Knowledge and hands on experience with system engineering processes
Experience developing and validating flight procedures
Experience of system testing and AIT processes
Software coding experience with Scripting languages, e.g. Python, tcl
Self-managed and proactive working style

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive base salary
Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
Optional 9/75 working pattern
Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
Life insurance and long-term sick pay
Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
Relocation allowance considered
Visa sponsorship for employees considered
State of the art office and cleanroom facility
Regular social events

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Mission Operations Concept DevelopmentOperability Requirement DevelopmentFlight Procedure ValidationSystem TestingTest Specification DevelopmentAnomaly ResolutionUser Story DevelopmentMission Simulation TestingDatabase ManagementInterface Control Document (ICD) Contribution

Soft Skills

Self-ManagedProactive Working Style