Apply on Employer Site

Acara Solutions, An Aleron Company · 3 days ago

Spacecraft Mission Operations Engineer II & III

Texas, United States

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

Acara Solutions, An Aleron Company is seeking a Spacecraft Mission Operations Engineer to support mission operations for spacecraft. The role involves deriving operational requirements, leading integration and validation efforts, and mentoring junior engineers while ensuring readiness for both nominal and off-nominal scenarios.

Information TechnologyRecruitingStaffing Agency

Hiring Manager

Kenia Caraballo, MM

Responsibilities

Derive and maintain operational requirements for missions and author portions of Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

Lead the integration and validation of specific ground-segment tools, data pipelines, and remote interfaces needed for sustained orbital operations

Plan and execute Ground Readiness Tests (GRTs) and end-to-end mission simulations for assigned subsystems or mission capabilities

Own the operational framework for one or more spacecraft subsystems and author mission-critical procedures and automation scripts

Lead cross-functional Working Groups with subsystem engineers to mature procedures across commissioning, routine operations, maneuvers, and contingency scenarios

Define operational capabilities and develop internal tools to improve efficiency, reliability, and situational awareness for long-duration missions

Design subsystem-focused "Day-in-the-Life" (DITL) simulation scenarios that stress long-term operational behaviors and fault responses

Collaborate with simulator and flight software teams to ensure realistic and operationally relevant simulation fidelity

Mentor junior engineers and help ensure operator readiness for nominal and off-nominal scenarios

Staff critical console roles during commissioning, maneuvers, and anomaly resolution events

Lead real-time operations for assigned subsystems, providing clear technical status to mission leadership

Architect the operational ConOps for missions, owning the operational interpretation of spacecraft design

Own and approve Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and ground system architectures supporting long-duration and multi-role missions

Lead system-level validation and verification campaigns from early integration through sustained operations readiness

Define the operational standards for missions, including procedure structure, automation philosophy, and command authority models

Chair cross-functional Working Groups, resolving complex technical tradeoffs between spacecraft design and operational risk

Build and maintain the long-term roadmap for operations product development as the mission evolves

Set the strategy for internal operations software and tooling, ensuring scalability and reliability across years of operations

Architect the DITL and mission rehearsal campaign, defining training objectives appropriate for long-duration, anomaly-driven operations

Define requirements for simulator fidelity, integration, and validation; approve test plans and readiness criteria

Lead team training and certification, assessing readiness, and maintaining high operational standards across mission phases

Serve in senior console or leadership roles during critical operations, anomalies, and maneuver campaigns

Provide authoritative direction to the operations team and mission leadership during high-impact events

Contribute to the technical foundation of the mission, including the derivation of requirements and the authoring of sections within Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

Lead the integration of specific ground segment tools and remote interfaces, ensuring they are validated and flight-ready

Execute rigorous system validation campaigns, creating Ground Readiness Test plans and leading end-to-end mission simulations for specific subsystems

Build the operational framework for specific subsystems (GNC, Thermal) by authoring mission-critical procedures and complex automation scripts

Lead specific cross-functional Working Groups, driving technical discussions with subsystem designers to refine procedures for all flight phases

Define capabilities and develop internal tools to enable workflows

Design specific "Day-in-the-Life" (DITL) simulation scenarios to stress-test procedures and prepare the team for lunar maneuvers

Collaborate with simulator engineers to ensure high-fidelity integration of ground simulators into the operations environment

Mentor junior engineers during team training, ensuring flight controllers are proficient in anomaly response for your assigned subsystem

Maintain the operational discipline and command authority required to staff critical console roles, where you will be expected to execute the mission plan, manage high-pressure anomalies, and lead the team through long-duration shifts and rehearsals

Architect the technical foundation of the mission, defining the Concept of Operations (ConOps) and owning Interface Control Documents (ICDs)

Lead the implementation of the entire ground segment infrastructure, towards final approval for Mission Control Center readiness and data distribution architectures

Direct rigorous system validation and verification campaigns, defining the criteria for Site Acceptance Testing to Mission Scenario Testing

Define the operational framework for various mission scenarios and vehicles, setting the standards for procedure development, automation scripts, and flight workflows

Chair cross-functional Working Groups, resolving complex technical conflicts between subsystem teams to finalize the operational baseline

Architect mission operations plans and the roadmap for ops products development

Drive the development strategy for software tools, ensuring a seamless and risk-free transition from system design to live operations2E

Architect parts of the campaign of "Day-in-the-Life" (DITL) simulations and mission rehearsals, defining the training objectives for high-stakes lunar maneuvers

Collaborate with technical teams to define the requirements for ground simulator integration and validation, write the test plans, and execute them

Lead the team training process, assessing readiness and managing the training activities to ensure proficiency in nominal and off-nominal execution

Qualification

Ground segment integrationMission operations planningSystem validation campaignsInterface Control DocumentsAutomation scriptsSimulation scenariosTeam trainingTechnical discussionsMentoringCross-functional collaboration