Senior Mission Manager (Coimbra or Porto)

Open Cosmos Ltd; Porto; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Cosmos Ltd in Portugal is seeking a Senior Mission Manager to own ambitious, technically complex missions from concept through launch and in-orbit operations. You will align teams across systems engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and mission operations to deliver missions that meet the highest standards.

You will translate concepts into executable plans, lead cross-functional teams, manage risks and stakeholder expectations, and contribute to proposals and cost modelling to support

Qualifications

• Experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary space projects.
• Understanding of satellite systems, payloads, or mission operations.
• Ability to balance scope, schedule, cost, and risk across parallel workstreams.
• Strong stakeholder management and supplier coordination.

Responsibilities

• Own the full mission lifecycle from concept through launch and in-orbit commissioning.
• Translate complex mission concepts into clear, executable plans with timelines, resources and budgets.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain and mission operations.
• Act as the main contact for customers, partners and stakeholders, building trust and alignment.
• Manage expectations with clear reporting and proactive risk management.
• Oversee integration of mission elements including launch services, ground segment and regulatory approvals.
• Ensure missions meet technical, contractual and regulatory requirements at every stage.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation and recovery plans to keep delivery on track.
• Contribute to proposals, mission planning and cost modelling for future growth.
• Mentor and guide other mission managers to raise team performance.

Skills

Project delivery

Space systems

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Jira

MS Project

Contract awareness

Tools

Jira

Microsoft Project

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…

Our Mission Management Team is at the heart of delivering Open Cosmos’ space mission services. Acting as the bridge between our technology teams, customers, partners, and suppliers, they make sure every mission runs smoothly, from planning and coordination through to launch and operations. It’s a dynamic, collaborative team that turns complex requirements into successful missions.

What will you be doing?

As a Senior Mission Manager, you’ll take ownership of some of our most ambitious and technically complex missions. From early concept through to launch and in-orbit operations, you’ll be the person bringing it all together, aligning teams, navigating complexity, and ensuring delivery that meets the highest standards.

You’ll be:

• Owning the full mission lifecycle from initial requirements through to launch and in-orbit commissioning
• Translating complex mission concepts into clear, executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets
• Leading multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations
• Acting as the main point of contact for customers, partners, and stakeholders, building trust and maintaining alignment
• Managing expectations through clear communication, structured reporting, and proactive risk management
• Overseeing the integration of mission elements including launch services, ground segment, and regulatory approvals
• Ensuring missions meet technical, contractual, and regulatory requirements at every stage
• Identifying risks early and driving mitigation and recovery plans to keep delivery on track
• Supporting continuous improvement of how we deliver missions as we scale
• Mentoring and guiding other mission managers, helping raise the bar across the team
• Contributing to proposals, mission planning, and cost modelling to support future growth

What You’ll bring

• 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)
• A proactive mindset, spotting risks early and acting before they become issues
• A collaborative approach, building strong relationships across teams, locations, and partners
• Resilience and adaptability, staying focused and effective under pressure

This role is based in Portugal.

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

Equal opportunity employer

At Open Cosmos, we are dedicated to fostering a workplace built on respect, dignity, and belonging. As an equal opportunity employer, we actively challenge bias to ensure every candidate and employee feels truly welcome. We celebrate diversity in all its forms and are committed to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.