Mission Operations Engineer

Job Description

Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impact to global security, like missile warning and Earth observation.

Our team is curious, bold and innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.

Job Summary

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be the lead technical authority for Millennium’s on-orbit spacecraft.  Your work will encompass the entire spacecraft mission life cycle, from the proposal phase to spacecraft and mission design, through space vehicle integration and test, and culminating with launch and on-orbit operations.  You will be responsible for all facets of the mission design, including definition of operational concepts, development of on-orbit procedures, and innovation of advanced methods of spacecraft operation unique to each space mission.  Mission Operations requires composure in high-pressure situations, in-depth knowledge of both the space vehicles and ground segment, and an ability to respond to anomalous scenarios in real-time.  You will be directly responsible for Millennium’s critical on-orbit assets. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Support every aspect of the mission lifecycle, from proposal/mission modeling, design, integration and test, space vehicle shipment, launch and on-orbit operations, to decommissioning

• Define ground and mission operations requirements, and flow mission requirements back to the space vehicle

  • Define mission concept of operation and design reference missions

• Design the ground segment, including command and control, mission planning, mission data processing, and the associated infrastructure to support all activities

• Implement and test space vehicle fault and autonomy, including fault detection and response, autonomous space vehicle behavior, and on-board command and control

• Develop and implement methods of operational automation, to reduce day-to-day operator responsibilities

• Create and execute space vehicle simulator tests to validate mission/fault/autonomy design

• Create and execute in-factory flight vehicle tests to validate mission design compatibility with flight hardware

• Conduct critical ground segment testing, including radio-frequency compatibility testing, remote ground facility interface testing, and acceptance testing of critical ground assets/locations

• Design and validate the mission “sequence of events” for bus commissioning, payload checkout/calibration, and mission operations

  • Plan and lead formal Mission Rehearsal events to train the mission team and to validate the mission design

• Lead a team of spacecraft and subsystem engineers during launch and early orbit activities to commission the space vehicle(s) for service

• Perform duties of lead technical authority during mission operations for both the space and ground segments

  • Focal for customer and internal leadership during critical mission activities

• Provide oversight of nominal on-orbit operations for Millennium’s entire fleet of on-orbit spacecraft

• Other duties as assigned

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options. 

Security Clearance and Export Control Requirements

This position must meet Export Control compliance requirements, therefore a “US Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.15 is required. “US Person” includes US Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills/Experience):

• B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Software, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

• Experience with real-time satellite command and control

• Working knowledge of satellite subsystems, ground systems, space missions, and OPSCON design

• Experience delivering operational products to customer environments

• Willingness to support occasional off-nominal working hours during critical 24/7 mission operations activities

• Active TS/SCI Clearance

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):

• M.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Software, Computer, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

• Experience in leading multidisciplinary technical teams, especially to resolve anomalous scenarios

• Experience with external customer briefing/interfacing

• Deep knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems

  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control; Electrical Power; Thermal Control; Telemetry, Tracking, and Command; Propulsion; etc.

• Experience with Spacecraft Command & Control software systems

• Experience with iterative and agile processes

• Knowledge of orbital dynamics, maneuver planning, and orbit determination techniques

• Experience designing fault detection and response, as well as designing space vehicle autonomy

• Familiarity with software and scripting tools such as MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Java, etc.

• High level of organization, self-motivation, and an ability to manage many projects in parallel

Conflict of Interest:

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process

Drug Free Workplace:

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Shift:

• This role will be on 1st

Total Rewards:

At Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.  

Millennium Space Systems also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.  

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Summary Pay-Range

• Level 2: $82,000 - $145,000

• Level 3: $99,000 - $177,000

Millennium is DDTC-registered, ITAR-compliant Company. This position is located at a facility that requires special access. Applicants MUST be U.S. citizens and eligible for a security clearance. Additionally, applicants must be willing to apply for and maintain a security clearance. We encourage all interested candidates to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified.