Senior Mission Operations Engineer - Lunar Landings

Cedarparktexasedc; Cedar Park (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Mission Operations Engineer to scale complex lunar/planetary mission operations. You will own the ground system architecture, develop flight operations products, and drive simulations and training across teams from planning to execution.

You will bridge spacecraft subsystem teams with real-time operations, lead cross-functional groups, and shape the long-term roadmap for operations products as missions evolve.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering or related field.
• 7–12+ years of professional aerospace experience focused on mission lifecycle.
• Proven track record leading a major mission phase (launch, landing, or ground segment campaign).
• Experience architecting frameworks for ground systems, script validation protocols, or full-scale simulation campaigns.
• Strong proficiency in software for automating ground system tasks and mission-data processing.
• Highly effective communicator bridging technical teams and executive stakeholders; mentors engineers.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ground segment architecture and requirements, guiding design trades and cross-team coordination.
• Define scope for mission-specific ground segment specs across multiple domains.
• Direct verification and validation campaigns from Site Acceptance Testing to Mission Scenario Testing.
• Own configuration control, key management, and access for all operators, including customers.
• Coordinate across ground services, IT, cyber, flight dynamics, ground software, facilities, and partners.
• Define operational standards and frameworks for mission scenarios and vehicles.
• Deliver Mission Operations Plan and own planning across pre- and post-launch.
• Capture flight rules and manage hazardous commands across the fleet.
• Coordinate on-board command sequences and FDIR through development cycles.
• Lead cross-functional Working Groups and shape long-term operations roadmap.
• Own enterprise Mission Simulations Plan and Training Plan; oversee Day-in-the-Life simulations.
• Define ground simulator fidelity requirements and readiness criteria.
• Lead training and certification for Mission Operations teams; ensure proficiency.

Skills

Mission leadership

Ground systems design

Automation software

Cross-functional collaboration

Communications

Mentoring engineers

Operational planning

Situational awareness

Problem solving

Requirements tracing

Risk assessment

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Firefly Aerospace seeks a Mission Operations Engineer to scale complex lunar/planetary mission operations. You will own the ground system architecture, develop flight operations products, and drive simulations and training across teams from planning to execution.

You will bridge spacecraft subsystem teams with real-time operations, lead cross-functional groups, and shape the long-term roadmap for operations products as missions evolve.