Senior Mission Manager

Jobtailor; Harwell; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor is seeking an experienced Mission Manager in the UK to own the full lifecycle of space missions from requirements to launch and in-orbit commissioning. You will translate complex concepts into executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets, and lead multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations.

You will act as the main contact for customers, partners, and stakeholders, maintain clear communications, and implement

Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects in multidisciplinary space or high-reliability environments.
• Knowledge of satellite systems, payloads, or mission operations.
• Balance scope, schedule, cost, and risk across parallel workstreams.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and making informed decisions in fast-moving settings.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to influence priorities.
• Commercial awareness including contracts and supplier coordination.
• Familiarity with regulatory considerations in the space ecosystem.
• Clear, structured communication for varied audiences.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as MS Project and Jira.
• Proactive risk spotting and mitigation mindset.
• Collaborative approach across teams and locations.

Responsibilities

• Own the full mission lifecycle from requirements through launch and commissioning.
• Translate complex concepts into executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and operations.
• Act as main contact for customers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Communicate clearly, report structuring, and proactive risk management.
• Oversee integration of launch services, ground segment and regulatory approvals.
• Ensure missions meet technical, contractual, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation and recovery plans.
• Support continuous improvement of mission delivery as the company scales.
• Mentor and guide other mission managers.
• Contribute to proposals, mission planning, and cost modelling for growth.

Skills

Project Delivery

Satellite Systems

Stakeholder Management

Regulatory Compliance

Risk Management

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Project Management Tools

Job description

• Own the full mission lifecycle, from initial requirements through to launch and in-orbit commissioning
• Translate complex mission concepts into executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations
• Act as the main point of contact for customers, partners, and stakeholders
• Manage expectations through clear communication, structured reporting, and proactive risk management
• Oversee integration of launch services, ground segment, and regulatory approvals
• Ensure missions meet technical, contractual, and regulatory requirements
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation and recovery plans
• Support continuous improvement of mission delivery as the company scales
• Mentor and guide other mission managers
• Contribute to proposals, mission planning, and cost modelling to support future growth

Requirements

• Strong grasp of project delivery in complex, multidisciplinary environments, ideally within space or high-reliability engineering
• Solid understanding of satellite systems, payloads, or mission operations
• Ability to balance scope, schedule, cost, and risk across multiple parallel workstreams
• Confidence navigating ambiguity and making informed decisions in fast-moving, high-stakes environments
• Skilled at stakeholder management, able to influence, align, and manage competing priorities
• Commercial awareness, including contracts, supplier coordination, and delivery frameworks
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance considerations in the space ecosystem
• Clear, structured communication, able to simplify complexity for different audiences
• Comfortable using project management tools (e.g. MS Project, Jira, or similar)
• Proactive mindset, spotting risks early and acting before they become issues
• Collaborative approach, building strong relationships across teams, locations, and partners
• Resilience and adaptability, staying focused and effective under pressure
• Legal right to work in the chosen location
• Application and CV submitted in English

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in managing the full mission lifecycle, ensuring compliance with technical, contractual, and regulatory requirements while leading multidisciplinary teams. Proficient in project delivery within complex environments, with strong stakeholder management and risk mitigation skills.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Delivery
• Satellite Systems
• Stakeholder Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Risk Management

Hard Skills

• Mission Lifecycle Management
• Cost Modelling
• Mission Planning
• Requirements Translation
• Integration of Launch Services

Soft Skills

• Clear Communication
• Collaboration
• Proactive Mindset
• Resilience
• Adaptability

Industry Keywords

• Space Ecosystem
• High-Reliability Engineering
• Multidisciplinary Environments
• Supplier Coordination
• Contracts

Tools & Technologies

• MS Project
• Jira
• Project Management Tools