Senior Space Mission Operations Engineer

Viasat; Carlsbad, Tempe (CA, AZ); Hybrid; USD 121,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Viasat is seeking a Senior Space Mission Operations Engineer to bridge spacecraft design and mission execution. You will own CONOPS, operating strategies, and end-to-end mission readiness for space and ground systems, with leadership across multiple teams.

You will guide testing (HIL/SIL), develop SOPs, and plan in-orbit test playbooks while ensuring operational excellence during all mission phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field
• Advanced degree preferred in relevant technical area

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end spacecraft CONOPS and mission operations development across lifecycle phases
• Own spacecraft operational strategy including commanding, telemetry monitoring, and fault handling
• Coordinate across subsystems, flight software, and ground systems teams to ensure readiness and operability

Skills

Spacecraft operations

CONOPS development

Cross-functional leadership

Python

MATLAB

MBSE

Cameo

SysML

Git

Telemetry analysis

FDIR / anomaly response

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Eng./Systems Eng./Electrical Eng./CS/Physics

Advanced degree in Aerospace Eng./Systems Eng./Electrical Eng./CS/Physics

Tools

Cameo

SysML

Job description

About us

One team. Global challenges. Infinite opportunities. At Viasat, we’re on a mission to deliver connections with the capacity to change the world. For more than 35 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the globe communicate. We’re looking for people who think big, act fearlessly, and create an inclusive environment that drives positive impact to join our team.

What you'll do

As a Senior Space Mission Operations Engineer, you will bridge the gap between spacecraft design and mission execution. You bring deep expertise in spacecraft operations, systems engineering, and mission architecture, and are motivated by solving complex operational challenges across both space and ground systems.

The Space Mission Operations & Engineering team will serve as the authority for mission CONOPS development, transforming mission objectives into operational architectures, system requirements, and flight software constraints. The team will lead end-to-end operational design and readiness activities, ensuring seamless integration of mission operations concepts from initial mission planning through spacecraft commissioning and routine on-orbit operations.

In this role, you will act as the primary technical authority for spacecraft operations, owning mission execution strategies while collaborating closely with spacecraft subsystems, flight software, satellite operations, and ground systems teams.

The day-to-day

You will be responsible for leading and directly contributing to the technical execution of mission concepts and operations. In this role, you will:

• Lead development of end-to-end spacecraft CONOPS, including mission timelines, operational scenarios, and contingency strategies across all mission phases (launch, commissioning, nominal operations, and end-of-life)
• Own spacecraft operational strategy, including commanding approaches, telemetry monitoring, signatures & constraints, turn-on procedures, fleet automation strategies, and fault detection, isolation, & anomaly response
• Translate mission objectives and stakeholder constraints into actionable system and subsystem-level requirements
• Lead cross-functional coordination between spacecraft subsystems (GNC, propulsion, EPS, thermal, communications), flight software, satellite operations, and ground systems teams as well as senior leadership/executives
• Lead the architecture and development of mission operations automation, command products, and operational workflows, that enable efficient multi-mission execution, reduce operational risk, and support rapid anomaly detection, diagnosis, and recovery across the spacecraft lifecycle
• Oversee Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) and Software-in-the-Loop (SIL) testing to validate CONOPS, flight software updates, and operational procedures
• Plan, develop, and execute a repeatable in-orbit test (IOT) playbook to validate performance, functionality, and mission readiness. Analyze test results, identify and resolve anomalies, and produce comprehensive technical reports documenting findings, recommendations, and operational impacts.
• Author and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), state of health (SOH) procedures, and contingency plans for mission operations
• Maintain daily trending of spacecraft state of health post-handover to predict future failures or out-of-limit conditions
• Lead mission simulations and rehearsals to ensure operational readiness and risk mitigation
• Present technical content and lead discussions at major program milestones (SRR, PDR, CDR)
• Serve as the primary technical authority during on-orbit operations and anomaly scenarios 24/7 for the life of the vehicle
• Mentor and train engineering and operations teams, ensuring they remain confident, prepared, and aligned during mission-critical events

What you'll need

• Experience spanning spacecraft development, integration & test, launch preparation, commissioning, and on-orbit operations
• Proven experience developing spacecraft CONOPS and supporting mission operations for LEO or similar missions
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems (EPS, ADCS, thermal, communications, payload) and their operational interactions
• Demonstrated ability to translate mission objectives into operational concepts, requirements, and executable procedures
• Experience leading cross-functional engineering efforts across spacecraft, software, and ground teams
• Proficiency in scripting or data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to make sound real-time operational decisions in high-pressure environments, including troubleshooting complex issues, interpreting system data, directing operational holds, reprioritizing test activities, and developing effective workaround solutions

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field
• U.S. citizenship

Note: This role is can be located in

• Carlsbad, CA or Tempe, AZ (Hybrid)
• Remote USA

What will help you on the job

• Experience developing mission concepts of operations (CONOPS), operational architectures, and mission execution strategies for spacecraft programs
• Experience supporting spacecraft integration, verification, validation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), and software-in-the-loop (SIL) test campaigns
• Background in spacecraft commissioning, launch and early orbit operations (LEOP), on-orbit testing (IOT), and anomaly resolution
• Experience designing operational automation, command products, mission planning tools, or flight operations software
• Familiarity with spacecraft telemetry analysis, fault management, fault detection and isolation (FDIR), and state-of-health monitoring
• Experience with model-based systems engineering (MBSE), digital engineering, or requirements development using tools such as Cameo or SysML
• Familiarity with configuration and change management processes, including tools such as Git
• Experience leading mission simulations, operational rehearsals, and readiness reviews
• Advanced degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field
• Experience with MBSE tools (e.g., Cameo, SysML) for system architecture and modeling
• Ability to obtain or hold an active U.S. Government security clearance (Secret or Top Secret/SCI)

Salary range

$120,500.00 - $190,000.00 / annually. For specific work locations within San Jose, the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, the base pay range for this role is $149,500.00- $224,500.00/ annually

At Viasat, we consider many factors when it comes to compensation, including the scope of the position as well as your background and experience. Base pay may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Additional cash or stock incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Learn more about Viasat’s comprehensive benefit offerings that are focused on your holistic health and wellness at https://careers.viasat.com/benefits.

EEO Statement

Viasat is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, genetics, age, or veteran status or any other applicable legally protected status or characteristic. If you would like to request an accommodation on the basis of disability for completing this on-line application, please click here.