Senior Mission Operations Preparation Engineer

Astroscale; East Hagbourne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare/Private medical

Hybrid working available

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship considered

Life insurance

On-site facilities

Regular social events

Holiday allowance up to 28 days

8 days Bank Holiday

State of the art office and cleanroom

Job summary

Astroscale UK Harwell is seeking an Operations Technical Lead to shape technical solutions for missions, develop operations concepts, and prepare teams for mission execution. You will collaborate with design and development engineers, supporting tests in AIV and operational environments, and own mission procedures.

We value proactive, learning-minded individuals who can work across functions, manage on-call support, and contribute to interface definitions and test planning in a fast-paced space

Qualifications

• Engineering, physics or an equivalent degree.
• Several years of demonstrable satellite industry experience in real time operations.
• Knowledge of space standards (ECSS, CCSDS, ISO).
• Knowledge of mission control systems, SCOS-2000 or similar.
• Knowledge and hands on experience with system engineering processes.
• Experience developing and validating flight procedures.
• Experience of system testing and AIT processes.
• Software coding experience with scripting languages, e.g. Python, tcl.
• Self-managed and proactive working style.

Responsibilities

• Act as an Operations Technical Lead for the mission under development.
• Develop Mission Operations Concept for a standalone mission or a satellite fleet.
• Support the Preparation Team Lead in Operations Development Plan and ensure follow through from Preliminary Design until end of mission.
• Develop Operability requirement and user stories with close coordination with the Flight Operations team and mission segments.
• Contribute to mission interface definitions (e.g. ICDs, data-budget, flight software application)
• Contribute to the Subsystem/Unit and Project Reviews.
• Act as product owner to the Operations User manual/handbook.
• Support the Operations Procedure development for the Mission OPS team.
• Support the satellite simulator development and mission database management.
• Develop test specification, plan and procedure to conduct System Validation Test.
• Support the preparation and participate in Mission Simulation Test or similar system tests.
• Identify and specify tools to support the mission execution (e.g. database tool, trending tool, dashboards, context management etc.).
• Act as a System-Operations teams interface during mission execution (LEOP, Commissioning, Routine, Disposal).
• Support to anomaly resolution of in-flight satellites may be expected, as part of a 24/7 on-call team (TBC).

Skills

Real-time operations

SCOS-2000

System engineering

Python scripting

Education

Engineering, Physics or equivalent degree

Tools

MOIS

Job description

This role will allow the right candidate to shape technical solutions for our missions, develop operations concepts, tools, and prepare the team for mission execution. The candidate will interact extensively with the design and development engineers across functions and support tests conducted in the AIV and operational environments. The role requires a proactive person who is keen to learn and grow and is happy to get stuck in with all aspects of the Spacecraft Operations team.

Responsibilities

• Act as an Operations Technical Lead for the mission under development.
• Develop Mission Operations Concept for a standalone mission or a satellite fleet.
• Support the Preparation Team Lead in Operations Development Plan and ensure follow through from Preliminary Design until end of mission.
• Develop Operability requirement and user stories with close coordination with the Flight Operations team and mission segments.
• Contribute to mission interface definitions (e.g. ICDs, data‑budget, flight software application)
• Contribute to the Subsystem/Unit and Project Reviews.
• Act as product owner to the Operations User manual/handbook.
• Support the Operations Procedure development for the Mission OPS team.
• Support the satellite simulator development and mission database management.
• Develop test specification, plan and procedure to conduct System Validation Test.
• Support the preparation and participate in Mission Simulation Test or similar system tests.
• Identify and specify tools to support the mission execution (e.g. database tool, trending tool, dashboards, context management etc.).
• Act as a System‑Operations teams interface during mission execution (LEOP, Commissioning, Routine, Disposal).
• Support to anomaly resolution of in‑flight satellites may be expected, as part of a 24/7 on‑call team (TBC).

Essential Skills

• Engineering, physics or an equivalent degree.
• Several years of demonstrable satellite industry experience in real time operations, spacecraft operations preparation through the complete life cycle. A candidate with a primarily system engineering background may also be considered.
• Knowledge of space standards (ECSS, CCSDS, ISO).
• Knowledge of mission control systems, SCOS‑2000 or similar.
• Knowledge and hands on experience with system engineering processes.
• Experience developing and validating flight procedures.
• Experience of system testing and AIT processes.
• Software coding experience with Scripting languages, e.g. Python, tcl.
• Self‑managed and proactive working style.

Desirable skills

• Familiarity with Operations Preparation tools such as MOIS or script‑based tools.
• Familiarity with routine and critical real time satellite operations.
• Familiarity with configuration management.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Opportunity to work with a highly talented, diverse & dynamic international team with cutting edge technology
• Flexible working around core hours in a friendly and supportive environment
• Optional 9/75 working pattern
• Hybrid working available (dependent on individual role requirements)
• 25 days holiday (increasing yearly up to a maximum of 28 days) + 8 days Bank Holiday
• Life insurance and long‑term sick pay
• Private healthcare (taxable benefit)
• Relocation allowance considered
• Visa sponsorship for employees considered
• State of the art office and cleanroom facility
• Regular social events

Location

Astroscale UK (Harwell).

About Astroscale

At Astroscale UK we pride ourselves on our inclusive culture. Our essential criteria are based solely on the requirements necessary to perform the role. If any criteria could present a barrier, we are open to discussing reasonable adjustments and are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process. Astroscale UK is also open to supporting job share arrangements, to further our flexible working offering.