Satellite Flight Controller

Piersight group; India; On-site; INR 800,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Piersight group is seeking disciplined Spacecraft Controllers / Satellite Operations Engineers for our Mission Control Centre in Ahmedabad, India. You will monitor and control SAR satellites, perform routine and contingency operations, and coordinate across teams in real time.

The role requires comfort with rotating shifts, strong situational awareness, and the ability to follow procedures while escalating anomalies as needed. Training and on-site facilities are provided.

Qualifications

• Strong operational discipline and the ability to stay calm under pressure.
• Ability to work in structured, rotating shift environments.
• Sound escalation judgment and clear communication during incidents.
• Comfort operating in real-time mission settings with diverse teams.
• Fundamental understanding of satellite subsystems and telemetry.
• Knowledge of orbital operations and spacecraft constraints.
• Experience with Linux, scripting, and telemetry tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor satellites from the Mission Control Centre during routine and contingency operations.
• Execute approved procedures and command sequences with accuracy.
• Monitor telemetry, subsystem health, and payload status in real time.
• Coordinate across Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, Payload Operations, and Ground Segment teams.
• Engage in anomaly detection, escalation, and anomaly reviews or rehearsals.
• Participate in shift handovers, readiness reviews, and mission rehearsals.
• Prototype lightweight tooling or scripts to improve workflows where useful.

Skills

Operational discipline

Structured shift work

Escalation judgment

Real-time decision making

Satellite subsystems knowledge

Telemetry and commanding

Orbital operations

Linux environments

Telemetry tools

Operational software tools

Python scripting

Education

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Computer Science

STEM diploma with ops experience

Tools

Linux

Telemetry visualization

Scripting tools

Operational software

Job description

We are looking for disciplined, detail-oriented Spacecraft Controllers / Satellite Operations Engineers to support routine and critical operations for a SAR satellite constellation from our Mission Control Centre in Ahmedabad (India).

This is primarily a console operations role focused on safe and reliable spacecraft operations, real-time monitoring, command execution, anomaly escalation, and operational coordination across spacecraft, payload, and ground systems.

You will work closely with:

• Mission Planning
• AOCS / Flight Dynamics
• Payload Operations
• Ground Segment / MCS teams

The role is operationally demanding and suited for individuals who are comfortable working in structured, high-responsibility environments with rotating shifts and real-time decision support requirements.

Responsibilities

Satellite Operations

• Operate and monitor satellites from the Mission Control Centre during:
• routine operations
• payload activities
• contingency operations
• commissioning and LEOP support activities
• Execute approved operational procedures and command sequences.
• Monitor spacecraft telemetry, subsystem health, payload status, and operational timelines in real time.
• Maintain situational awareness across spacecraft, payload, and ground segment status.

Anomaly Detection & Escalation

• Identify off-nominal spacecraft or payload behaviour and respond according to operational procedures.
• Escalate anomalies to subsystem engineers, Flight Dynamics, Payload, or Systems teams as required.
• Support safe spacecraft operations during contingencies and degraded modes.
• Participate in anomaly reviews, simulations, and rehearsals.

Mission Coordination; Coordinate closely with:

• Mission Planning
• Flight Dynamics
• Payload Operations
• Ground Segment / MCS teams
• Participate in shift handovers, operational briefings, readiness reviews, and mission rehearsals.
• Support execution of mission timelines and operational constraints.

Operational Products & Tooling

• Support preparation, validation, and maintenance of:
• operational procedures
• pass plans
• command products
• operational databases and logs.
• Contribute to lightweight operational tooling, scripting, automation, or telemetry analysis utilities where useful.
• Prototype or test software tools that improve operational efficiency, situational awareness, or data handling.

Strong software development expertise is not required; however, curiosity and initiative toward improving operational workflows are highly valued.

LEOP & High-Cadence Operations

• Support Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), commissioning activities, and contingency operations as required.
• Participate in training, simulations, and rehearsals for critical mission phases.

Work Environment & Shift Expectations

• This role operates in a 24/7 mission environment. Rotating shifts will typically range from 10–14 hours, including:
• night shifts
• holidays
• Team size is expected to be approximately 2–3 controllers initially.
• During high-cadence operational phases such as:
• LEOP
• anomaly resolution
• critical mission activities
• The company will provide:
• on-site accommodation
• meals
• and recreational support facilities where applicable.

Required Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering
• Physics
• Computer Science
• or another relevant STEM discipline.
• Diploma holders may also be considered if they possess relevant satellite operations experience.

Additional Eligibility

• Candidates from Armed Forces or other high-reliability operational environments are encouraged to apply.
• Personnel with experience in mission-critical operations, technical command centres, radar systems, aerospace operations, communications systems, UAV operations, or related operational roles may be considered, even if their prior experience was outside the commercial space industry.

Applicants should demonstrate

• strong operational discipline
• ability to work in structured shift environments
• sound escalation judgment
• and comfort operating in real-time mission settings.

Desired Skills & Attributes

Operational Mindset

• Strong operational discipline and attention to detail.
• Ability to remain calm and methodical during real-time operational events.
• Ability to follow procedures rigorously while recognizing off-nominal conditions.
• Good communication and shift handover practices.

Technical Understanding

Basic understanding of:

• satellite subsystems
• telemetry and commanding
• orbital operations
• spacecraft operational constraints.
• Familiarity with Linux environments, scripting, telemetry tools, or operational software is a plus.

Software & Tooling (Lightweight Requirement):

• Ability to prototype, validate, or test lightweight operational tools or scripts is highly valued.
• Experience with Python, shell scripting, telemetry visualization, automation utilities, or similar tools is beneficial but not mandatory.
• Candidates should demonstrate good judgment in validating and safely using operational software tools.

What We Value

We value individuals who:

• take operational responsibility seriously
• communicate clearly under pressure
• are comfortable working in mission-critical environments
• and are motivated by reliable execution rather than glamour.

This role is an opportunity to work directly on real spacecraft operations and grow into advanced mission operations responsibilities over time.