AI Operations Engineer

Job Summary
The AI Operations Engineer is a strategic, cross-functional role designed to revolutionize how we build and operate satellites. This is not a traditional IT role. Reporting to the Director of Systems Engineering & Analysis, you will champion AI integration across the enterprise as a critical bridge between our world-class Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in engineering and operations and our advanced AI/ML development teams. Your mission is to systematically identify, define, and integrate artificial intelligence applications across the entire satellite lifecycle to drive significant increases in efficiency, quality, and mission success. You will be the catalyst for transforming expert intuition into engineered intelligence, ensuring that the AI we build is the AI our employees need in our design labs, on our production floor, and in our mission operations center.

This position’s internal job code is Software Engineer - Artificial Intelligence. Our team is currently hiring for Levels 4-5. 

Responsibilities

• Partner directly with mission architects, systems engineers, avionics specialists, supply chain, manufacturing, and satellite operators to identify high-impact opportunities for AI and Machine Learning

• Translate complex engineering and operational challenges into clear, actionable requirements for ML Engineers and Data Scientists

• Act as the "product owner" for internal AI applications, facilitating an iterative development process between AI developers and engineering SMEs to ensure solutions are operationally relevant and trusted

• Oversee the integration of validated AI tools into existing engineering workflows, including developing new processes and training materials

• Define, monitor, and continuously improve key performance indicators (KPIs) for deployed AI applications to measure their impact on efficiency, reliability, and cost reduction

• Collaborate with the data engineering team to define data collection and labeling strategies necessary to support new AI use cases and support data governance

• Stay current with the latest advancements in AI/ML and identify opportunities to apply them to challenges in the satellite manufacturing industry

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline

• 5+ years of experience in a lead technical role within the aerospace, defense, or a comparable high-tech manufacturing industry

• Demonstrated experience working across multiple engineering disciplines (e.g., systems, electrical, mechanical, software) and defining/developing requirements

• Strong understanding of the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concepts

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to understand complex workflows and translate complex technical concepts between different audiences (e.g., explaining engineering constraints to data scientists and AI capabilities to mechanical engineers)

• Experience with project management and a track record of leading technical projects from concept to completion

• This position requires the ability to obtain a U.S. Security Clearance for which the U.S. Government requires U.S. Citizenship. An interim and/or final U.S. Security Clearance Post-Start is required

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in a relevant engineering or data science field

• Direct experience in the design, integration, testing, or operation of satellites or complex space systems

• Direct experience with programming languages (Python, C++, or similar) and open-source AI/ML models, tools, frameworks, and workflows (PyTorch, Tensorflow, LLMs, RAG, RNNs, CNNs, OpenWebUI, N8N, CrewAI, etc.)

• Experience with data analysis, scripting (e.g., Python), version control, and data visualization tools

• Experience with Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, databases (PGSQL, vector databases, or similar), front-end application tools (React, Next, or similar)

• Familiarity with the lifecycle of machine learning model development, from data gathering and training to deployment and monitoring (MLOps)

• Experience acting as a product manager or technical product owner for software or data-driven products

• A passion for space, Artificial Intelligence, and a relentless drive to solve problems and innovate

Summary Pay-Range
Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only of what is reasonably expected to be paid for the position. Salaries are based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

• Level 4: $151,300 to $222,500
• Level 5: $181,900 to $267,500