Automation Engineer (Mission Operations)

Open Cosmos Ltd; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work at the cutting edge of space technology

Supportive and diverse team

Job summary

Open Cosmos Ltd is seeking an Automation Engineer to improve operational efficiency in space missions. You will design automation frameworks and tools for testing and operations, working closely with various engineering teams.

Key responsibilities include building systems for automated data processing, implementing best practices, and providing technical support. Candidates should possess strong programming skills, particularly in Python or Bash, and an understanding of systems engineering principles. Work locations are flexible across the UK.

Qualifications

• Ability to design automation solutions for complex systems.
• Solid programming skills using Python, Bash, or similar languages.
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and related tooling.

Responsibilities

• Build and improve automation frameworks for mission operations.
• Develop tools for automated data processing and reporting.
• Integrate automation into OpenSat, OpenApp, and OpenOPS platforms.

Skills

Design automation solutions for complex systems

Programming skills in Python or Bash

Understanding of CI/CD pipelines

Knowledge of systems engineering principles

Confidence in Unix-based environments

Understanding of flight operations and telemetry

Job description

Aim high, go beyond!

At Open Cosmos we are solving the world’s biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on…

The CTO division is where Open Cosmos technology comes to life. Covering engineering, product development, and technical innovation, the team designs, builds, and operates the satellites, systems, and platforms that make our missions possible. It’s a highly collaborative environment where ideas become real hardware, software, and data solutions that deliver impact from space.

Working across the full mission lifecycle, the Mission Operations team is responsible for safely operating our satellites once they are in orbit.

What You'll Be Doing

Automation plays a critical role in how we operate satellites and test them at scale. As an Automation Engineer at Open Cosmos, you’ll help build the tools and frameworks that make our mission operations more reliable and our production testing more efficient.

You’ll be working on automation that supports the full mission lifecycle — from simulations and test campaigns on the ground to live spacecraft operations in orbit. You’ll work closely with mission operations, production, and engineering teams to embed automation into real workflows that matter.

• Building and improving automation frameworks for mission operations and production testing
• Developing tools for automated data processing, trend analysis, and reporting
• Defining and applying best practices, standards, and documentation for automation systems
• Integrating automation into OpenSat, OpenApp, and OpenOPS platforms
• Providing technical support during automation rollout into operations and test environments
• Creating and supporting training materials for automation tools and workflows
• Taking part in reviews of system updates, mission control changes, and automation opportunities
• Supporting automated workflows during live missions and production test campaigns
• Developing automation for routine and time‑critical flight operations
• Implementing automated procedures within the Mission Control System
• Improving monitoring, anomaly detection, and operational insight tools
• Building automation for functional testing and production workflows
• Developing tools for automated analysis of integration and test data
• Supporting test environment setup within the Mission Control System

What You’ll Bring

• A strong ability to design automation solutions for complex systems
• Solid programming skills using Python, Bash, or similar languages
• Understanding of CI/CD pipelines and related tooling
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles
• Confidence working in Unix‑based environments
• Understanding of flight operations, telemetry, and spacecraft behaviour
• Familiarity with mission control systems and ground segment concepts
• Knowledge of test automation approaches and integration testing
• Awareness of spacecraft subsystems and test campaign workflows

For this role you can be based in any of our locations.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.

Please submit your application and CV in English.

Why Open Cosmos?

• Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe.
• A mission‑driven company making space accessible to help solve real‑world challenges.
• A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team.