Mission Operations Engineer II Verified today

About the role

Join Firefly's operations team that landed on the Moon. You are not just a flight controller; you architect the entire operations ecosystem for complex lunar missions to locations like the Lunar Far Side and South Pole. You will bridge spacecraft subsystem teams and real-time execution, owning the mission from initial planning through Mission Scenario Testing and simulations to console operations.

Ground Segment Domain

• Derive and maintain operational requirements for ground segment capabilities, authoring ICDs and mission specifications.
• Lead integration and validation of ground segment tools, data pipelines, and remote interfaces, delivering requirement closure verification data.
• Plan and execute Ground Readiness Tests and end-to-end mission scenarios for assigned subsystems.
• Coordinate tasking with ground service providers, IT, cyber, flight dynamics, and ground software teams; maintain configuration control of assigned ground segment elements.

Flight Operations Products Domain

• Write flight ConOps documents compliant with mission requirements, identifying mission-specific challenges early.
• Own the operational framework for one or more spacecraft subsystems (GNC, Thermal), authoring mission-critical procedures and automation scripts.
• Lead test procedure, script, and utilities development, including flight rules disposition and hazardous command tracking.
• Coordinate on-board command sequences and FDIR development with systems engineering and flight software teams.
• Lead cross-functional Working Groups driving technical discussions to mature procedures across commissioning, routine operations, maneuvers, and contingency scenarios.

Simulations and Training Domain

• Design scenario-focused Day-in-the-Life simulations, including anomaly scenarios from FMEA, to stress-test procedures and fault responses ahead of critical mission events.
• Serve as Simulation Supervisor, coordinating scheduling, system configuration, execution, hotwash, and recovery.
• Coordinate software and hardware stakeholders supporting mission simulations (flight software, GNC, hardware-in-the-loop testbeds).
• Mentor junior engineers during team training, ensuring flight controllers are proficient in nominal and anomaly response.

Mission Execution Console Operations

• Staff critical console roles during commissioning, maneuvers, anomalies, and long-duration shifts.
• Lead real-time operations for assigned subsystems, providing clear technical status to mission leadership.

Required experience

• 3 to 7 years in spacecraft operations, flight or ground software, or systems engineering.
• Proven experience supporting at least one Live mission on-console (LEO, GEO, or Deep Space).
• Demonstrated ability to author flight procedures, telemetry displays, and mission-sequencing scripts.
• Subject Matter Expertise in at least one subsystem for ground or space segment.
• Proficient in Python for automating ground system tasks, mission-data processing, and spacecraft command sequences.
• Familiar with configuration management of scripts.
• Structured, disciplined approach to troubleshooting; ability to drive consensus across engineering teams and communicate technical status clearly during time-critical events.

Desired qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience with long-duration, high-heritage, or operationally complex spacecraft (ISS, LEO, GEO).
• Prior experience designing ground segment tools or architecting end-to-end operational products.
• Experience working in CUI or secure mission environments and supporting government customers.
• Active or previously held U.S. Government security clearance (Secret or higher).

Eligibility

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.