Mission Manager

Southern Launch; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Launch is seeking a role to lead end-to-end launch operations, collaborating with customers to align with range capabilities and campaign requirements. You will prepare documentation such as Launch Management Plans and Integrated Countdown Procedures, support regulatory approvals, and coordinate with regulatory bodies to ensure safety and compliance throughout the campaign lifecycle.

The ideal candidate has experience with high-compliance operations, strong planning and writing skills,

Qualifications

• Experience developing or managing launch campaigns or other high-compliance technical operations.
• Strong capability in operational planning, risk assessment, and process design.
• Technical writing expertise for procedures, safety plans, and regulatory documentation.
• In-depth understanding of aerospace systems, regulatory environments, and launch operations.
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and coordinate with regulatory bodies (e.g. CASA, ACMA).
• Detail-focused, structured problem-solver with strong communication and coordination skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of end-to-end operational launch processes in collaboration with customers, ensuring alignment with range capabilities and launch campaign requirements.
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive operational documentation, including Launch Management Plans, Integrated Countdown Procedures, and Return & Recovery Plans.
• Provide inputs for all necessary secondary technical approvals (e.g. explosives licensing, ACMA radio communications, CASA airspace access) in support of compliant operations.
• Liaise with internal teams, regulatory bodies and various stakeholders to ensure all activities meet safety, security, and compliance obligations under relevant legislation and industry codes.
• Design and implement on-range security plans, integrating physical security, access controls, and emergency response procedures.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the customer and Southern Launch operations team, ensuring effective schedule coordination, proactive risk mitigation, and clear, consistent communication throughout the entire campaign lifecycle.

Skills

Operational planning

Risk assessment

Process design

Technical writing

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Coordination

Security planning

Job description

Southern Launch offers bespoke space mission services fromtwo complementary spaceports in Australia. Its vertically integrated processes for orbital and suborbital launch, hypersonic flight, re-entries from space, and range services for advanced system testing have been proven by customers and regulators.

About the role

• Lead the development of end-to-end operational launch processes in collaboration with customers, ensuring alignment with range capabilities and launch campaign requirements
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive operational documentation, including Launch Management Plans, Integrated Countdown Procedures, and Return & Recovery Plans
• Provide inputs for all necessary secondary technical approvals (e.g. explosives licensing, ACMA radio communications, CASA airspace access) in support of compliant operations
• Liaise with internal teams, regulatory bodies and various stakeholders to ensure all activities meet safety, security, and compliance obligations under relevant legislation and industry codes.
• Design and implement on-range security plans, integrating physical security, access controls, and emergency response procedures.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the customer and Southern Launch operations team, ensuring effective schedule coordination, proactive risk mitigation, and clear, consistent communication throughout the entire campaign lifecycle.

About you

We are proud of the diversity of experience within our team and will be encouraged by what you can bring to this position. We are initially looking for:

• Experience developing or managing launch campaigns or other high-compliance technical operations
• Strong capability in operational planning, risk assessment, and process design
• Technical writing expertise for procedures, safety plans, and regulatory documentation
• In-depth understanding of aerospace systems, regulatory environments, and launch operations
• Demonstrated ability to engage stakeholders and coordinate with regulatory bodies (e.g. CASA, ACMA)
• Detail-focused, structured problem-solver with strong communication and coordination skills

This position requires you to hold and maintain a valid Australian Defence Security Clearance.

Southern Launch is made up of industry experts with a diverse range of experience across space and defence.

Southern Launch is made up of industry experts with a diverse range of experience across space and defence.