Senior Mission Operator

CesiumAstro; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 82,000 - 97,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA

FSA

Retirement plan

Stock options

Job summary

CesiumAstro is seeking a Senior Mission Operator to monitor and support safe spacecraft operations across mission execution. You will perform command and control activities, monitor health and status, and respond to off-nominal conditions under guidance from senior operators and mission leadership.

In a fast-paced, collaborative operations environment, you will work with mission ops, flight software, systems and spacecraft engineering, and ground systems teams to ensure readiness, execute

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of spacecraft operations and mission concepts.
• Knowledge of telemetry, tracking, command, and spacecraft communications.
• Familiarity with mission planning, procedures, and anomaly response.
• Ability to interpret technical procedures and telemetry data.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and situational awareness.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Ability to work in a mission-critical, collaborative environment.
• Experience with mission control software and related tools.
• Experience with ground control systems supporting spacecraft operations.
• Experience with TT&C systems.
• Experience with mission planning and related software tools.
• Proficiency with Linux/UNIX preferred.
• Experience with Confluence/SharePoint or equivalent.
• Experience with Jira or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Monitor spacecraft health, telemetry, and subsystems during operations.
• Execute command sequences and procedures per mission plans.
• Monitor communications and telemetry to ensure safe vehicle operations.
• Support launch and early orbit activities and mission readiness.
• Document operations, status, and events per procedures.
• Identify and elevate anomalies and operational concerns.
• Assist in contingency procedures and recovery activities.
• Support anomaly investigations with data collection and logs.
• Coordinate with engineering and operations during troubleshooting.
• Participate in mission simulations and readiness exercises.
• Review timelines and command products for planning.
• Verify procedures and commands prior to execution.
• Collaborate across teams to ensure mission readiness.
• Maintain accurate mission logs and documentation.
• Support continuous improvement of procedures.
• Participate in shift handovers and mission status reviews.
• Contribute to efficiency and reliability improvements.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

TT&C systems

Telemetry analysis

Mission planning

Linux/UNIX

Confluence/SharePoint

Jira

Collaboration

Tools

Confluence

SharePoint

Jira

Linux

UNIX

Job description

Please Note: To conform with the United States Government Space Technology Export Regulations, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., conditional resident, asylee or refugee (protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

At CesiumAstro, we are developers and pioneers of out-of-the-box communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. We take pride in our dynamic and cross-functional work environment, which allows us to learn, develop, and engage across our organization. If you are looking for hands‑on, interactive, and autonomous work, CesiumAstro is the place for you. We are actively seeking passionate, collaborative, energetic, and forward‑thinking individuals to join our team.

The Senior Mission Operator is responsible for monitoring and supporting the safe operation of spacecraft throughout mission execution. This role performs spacecraft command and control activities, monitors spacecraft health and status, executes operational procedures, and responds to off‑nominal conditions under the guidance of senior operators and mission leadership.

Working in a fast‑paced mission operations environment, the Spacecraft Vehicle Operator collaborates with mission operations, flight software, systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, and ground systems teams to ensure successful spacecraft operations. This role supports routine mission activities, anomaly response, mission planning, and operational readiness while adhering to established operational procedures and mission requirements.

Essential Roles And Responsibilities

• Monitor spacecraft health, telemetry, and subsystem performance during routine and contingency operations.
• Execute spacecraft command sequences and operational procedures in accordance with approved mission plans.
• Monitor spacecraft communications, command execution, and telemetry to ensure safe vehicle operations.
• Support launch, early orbit operations, commissioning, routine mission operations, and end‑of‑life activities as assigned.
• Document operational activities, system status, and mission events in accordance with established procedures.
• Identify, document, and elevate spacecraft anomalies, unexpected behavior, or operational concerns.
• Assist in executing contingency procedures and recovery activities under established operational guidelines.
• Support anomaly investigations by collecting operational data and documenting mission events.
• Coordinate with engineering and mission operations teams during troubleshooting activities.
• Participate in mission simulations, rehearsals, and operational readiness exercises.
• Support mission planning activities by reviewing operational timelines and command products.
• Verify operational products, command sequences, and mission procedures prior to execution.
• Collaborate with mission planning, systems engineering, and ground systems teams to ensure mission readiness.
• Maintain accurate operational logs, reports, and mission documentation.
• Support continuous improvement of operational procedures and mission execution processes.
• Collaborate with mission operations, flight software, systems engineering, spacecraft engineering, and ground systems teams to support mission success.
• Participate in shift handovers, operational briefings, and mission status reviews to ensure continuity of operations.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, mission reliability, and process effectiveness.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements And Minimum Qualifications

• Basic understanding of spacecraft operations, spacecraft subsystems, orbital mechanics, and mission operations principles.
• Knowledge of telemetry, tracking, command, and spacecraft communications concepts.
• Familiarity with mission planning, operational procedures, and anomaly response processes.
• Ability to interpret technical procedures, telemetry data, and operational documentation.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision‑making skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and situational awareness.
• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, mission‑critical operations environment.
• Experience with mission control software and associated operational tools.
• Familiarity with ground control systems supporting spacecraft and mission operations.
• Experience with Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) systems.
• Experience with mission planning, spacecraft operations, and related software tools.
• Proficiency with Linux or UNIX operating systems preferred.
• Experience with collaboration and knowledge management platforms such as Confluence, SharePoint, or equivalent.
• Experience with issue and task tracking tools such as Jira or equivalent.

$39.55 - $46.74 an hour

CesiumAstro considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills. Full‑time employment offers include company stock options and a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, HSA, FSA, life, disability and retirement plans.

CesiumAstro is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.