Satellite Operator

Astranis Space Technologies; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 60,614 - 67,502; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity compensation

On-site meals and comprehensive health

Job summary

Astranis Space Technologies is seeking a Mission Operator to work with engineers across hardware, software, and operations to safely fly spacecraft on orbit.

The ideal candidate is motivated to learn satellite operations, with no direct operation experience required but relatable background welcomed. The role involves monitoring, procedures, and training participation within a fast-paced team.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of professional work experience.
• Process-oriented with emphasis on excellence and repeatable execution.
• Able to perform duties with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with engineers to create, test, and execute satellite operations procedures, including launch, early operations, orbit raising, and nominal sustainment operations.
• Monitor system health and report anomalies, partnering with engineering to resolve issues safely.
• Participate in training exercises and help evolve the training program for new operators.
• This role operates on a 3x8 hour shift cycle with regular evening, overnight, and weekend work.

Skills

2+ years experience

Process-oriented

Self-motivated

Team player

Job description

Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity’s reach into the solar system. Today, Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe— large enterprises, sovereign governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts.

Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $750 million from some of the world’s best investors, from Andreessen Horowitz to Blackrock and Fidelity, and employs a team of 450 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA.

Satellite Operator

As our Mission Operator, you will work closely with mission operations engineers, hardware engineers, and software engineers writing and executing standard operating procedures used to safely and reliably fly spacecraft on orbit.

Our ideal candidate is highly motivated and open to learning how satellites are built, tested, and operated - no direct satellite operation experience is required, though relatable experience is desired.

Role

• Collaborate with engineers to create, test, and execute satellite operations procedures, including launch, early operations, orbit raising, and nominal sustainment operations procedures
• Monitor system health and report anomalies, working with the engineering team to safely resolve them
• Participate in training exercises, helping to enhance our training regimen for new satellite operators
• This role requires regular, consistent evening and overnight shifts, as well as weekend work to support 24/7 spacecraft operations

Requirements

• 2+ years of professional work experience
• Process-oriented mindset with emphasis on excellence and repeatable execution
• Highly motivated, self-starting, and able to perform duties without supervision
• A passion for working in a fast-paced, collaborative, high-stakes environment

Bonus

• Basic understanding of satellite subsystems (hardware and software)
• Basic understanding of satellite ground systems, antennas, & RF
• Familiarity with testing and troubleshooting complex systems
• Familiarity with software development tools such as Git
• Experience operating complex systems
• Familiarity with GEO satellites

Shifts

The team operates on 3x8 hour shifts a day:

• Morning: 0700 - 1500
• Swing: 1500 - 2300
• Night: 2300 - 0700

and rotates between shifts every 2-3 months. Off-console work is not on a shift schedule.

Week 1

Sunday

Off-Console Work

OFF

On-Console Shift

Week 2

Sunday

On-Console Shift

OFF

What we offer

All our positions offer a compensation package that includes equity and robust benefits.

Base pay is just one component of Astranis’s total rewards package. Your compensation also includes a significant equity package via incentive stock options, high-quality company-subsidized healthcare, disability and life insurance, 401(k) retirement planning, flexible PTO, and free on-site catered meals.

Astranis pay ranges are informed and defined through professional-grade salary surveys and compensation data sources. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, and the level and scope of the position.

Base Hourly Pay

$44-$49 USD

U.S. Citizenship, Lawful Permanent Residency, Or Refugee/Asylee Status Required

(To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the United States, or other protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3))

Our mission and our products are meant to connect the world and everyone in it, regardless of gender, race, creed, or any other distinction. We believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we encourage all people to join our team and bring their unique perspective to help make us stronger.