Senior Mission Manager

Open Cosmos; United States; A distancia; USD 123.000 - 167.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Open Cosmos in Portugal seeks a Senior Mission Manager to own and deliver complex space missions from concept through to launch and in-orbit operations.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain and operations, while maintaining strong relationships with customers and partners to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

Formación

• Experience delivering complex, multidisciplinary missions.

Responsabilidades

• Own full mission lifecycle from concept to launch.
• Translate concepts into executable plans with timelines, resources and budgets.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain and operations.
• Be the main point of contact for customers, partners and stakeholders.
• Manage expectations with clear reporting and risk management.
• Oversee integration of mission elements including launch services and ground segment.
• Ensure compliance with technical, contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Identify risks early and drive mitigation plans.
• Contribute to proposals, mission planning and cost modelling.

Conocimientos

Project delivery

Satellite systems

Stakeholder mgmt

Regulatory awareness

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Commercial awareness

Regulatory compliance

Clear communication

Jira or MS Project

Herramientas

MS Project

Jira

Descripción del empleo

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.

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.

Please submit your application and CV in English.

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.