Mission Operations Engineer III Verified today

About the Role

Join Firefly Aerospace as Mission Operations Engineer III and own the entire operations ecosystem for lunar landing missions. You will architect the ground segment, develop flight operations products, lead simulations and training, and execute missions from the console. This role bridges spacecraft subsystem teams and real-time execution, leading missions from concept through launch and landing.

Ground Segment Domain

• Own end-to-end ground segment architecture and enterprise requirements (L0-L3), leading design trades and cross-team coordination for Mission Operations Center capabilities and mission readiness.
• Define mission-specific ground segment specifications spanning civil, national security, customer-specific, security, and data domains.
• Direct verification and validation campaigns from Site Acceptance Testing through Mission Scenario Testing, owning closure of internal and program requirements.
• Own configuration control of the ground segment, key management plans, and access management for operators, customers, and mission partners.
• Direct tasking and coordination across ground service providers, IT, cyber, flight dynamics, ground software, facilities, and external customers.

Flight Operations Products Domain

• Define operational standards and frameworks across mission scenarios and vehicles, including procedure structure, automation philosophy, command authority models, and configuration management practices.
• Deliver the Mission Operations Plan and own mission planning across pre- and post-launch phases.
• Capture and disposition flight rules and manage hazardous commands across the fleet.
• Coordinate and manage on-board command sequences and FDIR through the development cycle, partnering with systems engineering to meet system requirements.
• Lead cross-functional Working Groups, resolving technical conflicts and tradeoffs between spacecraft design and operational risk. Own the long-term roadmap for operations product development.

Simulations and Training Domain

• Own the enterprise Mission Simulations Plan and Training Plan, architecting Day-in-the-Life (DITL) simulations and mission rehearsals across all mission phases.
• Define requirements for ground simulator fidelity, integration, and validation. Write and approve test plans and readiness criteria.
• Direct cross-team coordination of simulation stakeholders and assets, including hardware-in-the-loop testbeds.
• Lead training and certification for Mission Operations and Flight Operations teams, assessing readiness and ensuring proficiency in nominal and off-nominal execution.

Mission Execution Console Operations

• Maintain operational discipline and command authority in critical console roles. Execute the mission plan, manage high-pressure anomalies, and lead teams through long-duration shifts and rehearsals.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline
• 7 to 12+ years of professional aerospace experience with focus on mission lifecycle
• Proven track record leading a major mission phase (Launch, Landing, or RPO) and/or managing a ground segment development campaign
• Experience architecting frameworks for ground systems, script validation protocols, or full-scale simulation campaigns. Ability to define operational frameworks from high-level requirements to actionable, executed plans.
• Strong proficiency in software for automating ground system tasks and mission-data processing
• Highly effective communicator who bridges technical teams and executive stakeholders. Resolves complex technical debates and makes high-value decisions with minimal supervision. Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers, lead by example regardless of title, and maintain high operational standards across a multi-mission fleet.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience as a Flight Director, Lead Mission Controller, or equivalent role
• Expertise in pre-launch system verification, Day-in-the-Life (DITL) testing, Mission Scenario Tests (MST), and sustained on-orbit operations governance
• Experience operating in CUI environments or designing workflows intended to scale into classified mission operations
• Active or previously held U.S. Government security clearance (Secret, TS, or TS/SCI)