Spacecraft Mission Operations Engineer III
Firefly Aerospace
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Office
Location: Cedar Park • Texas • United States
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Tech Stack
About the role
- Architect the operational ConOps for Elytra missions, owning the operational interpretation of spacecraft design
- Own and approve Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ground system architectures supporting long-duration and multi-role missions
- Lead system-level validation and verification campaigns from early integration through sustained operations readiness
- Define the operational standards for Elytra missions, including procedure structure, automation philosophy, and command authority models
- Chair cross-functional Working Groups, resolving complex technical tradeoffs between spacecraft design and operational risk
- Build and maintain the long-term roadmap for operations product development as the mission evolves
- Set the strategy for internal operations software and tooling, ensuring scalability and reliability across years of operations
- Define requirements for simulator fidelity, integration, and validation; approve test plans and readiness criteria
- Serve in senior console or leadership roles during critical operations, anomalies, and maneuver campaigns
- Provide authoritative direction to the operations team and mission leadership during high-impact events
Requirements
- 5 to 12+ years of professional aerospace experience with a focus on spacecraft operations and mission lifecycle ownership
- Proven leadership of major mission phases or long-duration spacecraft operations campaigns
- Experience architecting ground systems, simulation campaigns, and operational frameworks from requirements to execution
- Experience operating in CUI environments and designing workflows intended to scale into classified mission operations.
- Strong proficiency in automation and mission-data processing tools
- Desired Experience as a Flight Director, Lead Mission Controller, or equivalent role
- Expertise in Ground Readiness Testing, DITL simulations, and sustained on-orbit operations governance
- Active or previously held U.S. Government security clearance (Secret, TS, or TS/SCI)
- Experience supporting classified or secure flight operations (DoD, NRO, or other national security missions)
- Familiarity with cross-domain solutions (CDS) and managing operational workflows across classified and unclassified systems
Benefits
- generous health, dental and vision plans with low plan deductibles
- parental leave
- educational reimbursement
- short term disability
- flexible PTO options
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
spacecraft operationsmission lifecycle ownershipground systems architecturesimulation campaignsoperational frameworksautomationmission-data processingGround Readiness TestingDITL simulationson-orbit operations governance
Soft Skills
leadershipcross-functional collaborationproblem-solvingauthoritative directionstrategic planning
Certifications
U.S. Government security clearance (Secret, TS, TS/SCI)