Mission Operations Engineer II

Quantum Space; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Generous leave

FSA

401(k) matching

Equity sharing

Job summary

Quantum Space in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Mission Operations Engineer II to join our real-time spacecraft operations team. You will own commanding, telemetry analysis, and anomaly resolution while collaborating with mission operations, systems engineering, and software teams.

You'll lead procedural development, mission planning, and cross-functional reviews, supporting rehearsals, commissioning, and post-launch operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field.
• 2+ years of spacecraft operations or mission control experience.
• Working knowledge of ADCS, power, thermal, communications, and propulsion.
• Hands-on telemetry analysis, command and control, and procedures.
• Scripting or automation in Python for data analysis and efficiency.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to make sound decisions in time-sensitive environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, or holidays.

Responsibilities

• Perform real-time spacecraft operations, including commanding, telemetry monitoring, subsystem performance assessment, and anomaly triage.
• Lead development and execution of operational procedures, command products, and test plans for routine and complex missions.
• Serve as subsystem or operations lead for designated mission areas, owning trending, analysis, and performance reporting.
• Support anomaly resolution through data analysis, root-cause investigation, and cross-functional engineering collaboration.
• Contribute to mission planning, including pass planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational strategy.
• Coordinate with ground network providers, mission assurance, and software teams for readiness and reliability of the ground segment.
• Support rehearsals, readiness reviews, new-spacecraft commissioning, and post-launch operations.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to training materials and knowledge transfer.

Skills

Spacecraft operations

Mission control

Satellite systems engineering

Python scripting

Analytical skills

Troubleshooting

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Physics, or Computer Science

Tools

Python

Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Mission Operations Engineer II to support real-time spacecraft operations, mission execution, and the performance of our next-generation space systems. In this role, you will take ownership of spacecraft commanding, telemetry analysis, operational procedure development, and anomaly resolution while collaborating closely with mission operations, systems engineering, ground software, and mission assurance teams.

You will play a key role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and operational success of spacecraft throughout the mission lifecycle, from commissioning through on-orbit operations. This position is ideal for an engineer with hands‑on spacecraft operations experience who thrives in a fast‑paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about advancing next-generation space missions.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

• Perform real-time spacecraft operations, including commanding, telemetry monitoring, subsystem performance assessment, and anomaly triage.
• Lead development and execution of operational procedures, command products, and test plans for both routine and complex mission scenarios.
• Serve as subsystem or operations lead for designated mission areas, owning trending, analysis, and performance reporting.
• Support anomaly resolution through data analysis, root‑cause investigation, and cross‑functional engineering collaboration.
• Contribute to mission planning, including pass planning, resource allocation, and long‑term operational strategy.
• Coordinate with ground network providers, mission assurance, and software teams to ensure readiness and reliability across the ground segment.
• Support rehearsals, readiness reviews, new‑spacecraft commissioning, and post‑launch operations.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to training materials and knowledge transfer.

What It Takes

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of experience in spacecraft operations, mission control, satellite systems engineering, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, thermal, communications, and propulsion.
• Hands‑on experience with spacecraft telemetry analysis, command and control systems, and operational procedures.
• Experience with scripting or automation tools, preferably Python, to support data analysis and operational efficiency.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to assess complex spacecraft performance issues.
• Ability to make sound, methodical decisions in time‑sensitive or mission‑critical environments.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and ability to manage technical responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays based on mission requirements.

Nice-to-Have Experience

• Experience supporting on‑orbit anomaly investigation and resolution.
• Familiarity with operational software development, simulation environments, or mission planning tools.
• Knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, orbital mechanics, or ground segment architectures.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, build tools, or automate operational workflows.
• Experience supporting launch and early orbit phases (LEOP) or spacecraft commissioning.

What You’ll Get

• Ownership – Take responsibility for spacecraft operations, subsystem performance, and mission‑critical activities that directly contribute to mission success.
• Innovation – Work with next‑generation spacecraft technologies advancing space mobility, maneuverability, and mission operations.
• Impact – Play a key role in ensuring reliable spacecraft performance and successful national security, civil, and commercial space missions.
• Growth – Expand your technical expertise, mentor junior engineers, and grow alongside an experienced, collaborative team in a fast‑paced space environment.
• Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.

Location: Hawthorne, CA

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full‑time offers and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self‑identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Quantum Space’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.