Engineer - Mission Operations

Position work location: Merritt Island, FL. Fully remote candidates located within the U.S. will also be considered.

Position Summary:

Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Mission Operations Engineer to design, analyze, and test and operate new satellite and space mission systems. This position supports the full mission lifecycle, from operational concept development and system definition through integration, verification, validation, launch, commissioning and on-orbit operations. The ideal candidate will bring strong systems thinking, technical problem-solving, and cross-functional leadership to mission operations while contributing to the development of the ground software architecture and test capabilities required to operate and validate Airbus U.S. spacecraft.

We're looking for candidates who can bring exceptional engineering, development skills, and strong leadership in aerospace programs to the team.

Position Responsibilities:

The Mission Operations Engineer's primary responsibility will be delivering mission operations and mission systems products, as well as other spacecraft operations documentation and products to Airbus U.S. and its customers. This work involves the full lifecycle of development, from requirements definition, allocation, verification and validation, designs, tests of products, deliveries, and support to customers. Being at the cutting edge of space technology, we need someone who is eager to learn, grow, and take on new and potentially unfamiliar challenges. There is no shortage of fascinating problems to solve.

The Mission Operations Engineer will provide autonomous solutions of complex problems, through direct work and delegation, under the leadership of the Functional Avionics Engineering Director. The Mission Operations Engineer will have subject matter responsibility and ownership.

Mission Operations Product Development - 70%

• Develops and Grows System Test tools, processes, and methods for Airbus U.S.
• Define System Operation Modes, mode transitions, on-orbit constraints, and associated mission operations requirements.
• Own and author operations documents such as Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and In-Orbit Test (IOT) plans and other operational documentation.
• Define, develop, test, and verify nominal, off nominal, and contingency mission operations procedures, including recovery actions.
• Develop and automate mission operations capabilities to improve reliability, repeatability, and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate mission operations training with Responsible Engineers (REs), Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and other stakeholders.
• Support mission integration, system verification/validation, operational readiness, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.
• Support definition of ground software requirements, architecture, interfaces, data flows, telemetry, commanding, monitoring, and automation capabilities.
• Translate spacecraft and mission operations needs into ground software requirements and operational capabilities.
• Develop and mature ground-system and end-to-end testing capabilities for spacecraft interfaces, telemetry, commanding, procedures, and automation.
• Support software/system integration and verification using simulators, test environments, and spacecraft hardware as applicable.
• Develop tools, processes, and automation that improve mission operations testing and operational readiness.
• Perform systems engineering activities necessary to maintain and evolve Airbus U.S. spacecraft and mission operations capabilities.
• Support development planning, technical reviews, test readiness, and operational readiness activities.
• Support development of and execute technical roadmaps for mission operations and supporting ground capabilities.

Mission Systems Development - 30%

• Support Mission Systems Architecture development for Airbus U.S. satellite systems, including the heritage Arrow platform. responsibilities include:
  • Support requirements development – initial definition, decomposition and flowdown
  • Mission System behavior design and trade studies – high level concept trades to support subsequent detail design
  • Generation of Mission System Architecture Data Products, including CONOPS, Algorithm Descriptions, fault management design, and Interface Documents
• Ability to drive multiple design activities (programs or mission)
• Participate in cross-functional teams in planning, coordination, and task execution, reporting to Program Managers

Qualified Experience / Skills / Training:

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.
• Preferred: Master's Degree in STEM (Science, Technical, Engineering, Math) or related scientific areas.

Recommended Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years with a Bachelor's degree, or 2 years with a Master's degree
• Proven track-record of working with aerospace hardware and software systems, starting from conceptual designs and tradeoffs through detailed design, development, manufacture, integration, test, deployment, and operations.
• Experience with aerospace hardware and/or software systems through design, development, integration, test, deployment, or operations.
• Experience supporting spacecraft, satellite, mission operations, ground systems, or similarly complex systems.
• Experience leading or coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

• Expertise in elements of space mission architectures– including launch, flight operations, mission CONOPS, user interfaces, etc.
• System test and validation approaches, including test spec development, test procedure writing, and test report writing
• Experience with systems architecture, requirements definition and decomposition, and requirements verification and validation (e.g. Requirements Verification and Traceability Matrices)
• Knowledge of space mission operations, including spacecraft modes, constraints, commanding, telemetry, nominal operations, and contingency operations.
• Understanding of ground software architecture, spacecraft-to-ground interfaces, telemetry/command processing, databases, APIs, and automation.
• Experience with system integration and test, including simulators, SIL/HIL environments, or end-to-end mission testing.
• Experience with scripting or software development for operations, test, or automation.
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively across multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Strong initiative, team-minded, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver results in a complex, fast-moving environment.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results.

Travel Required:

• Periodic travel (less than 20%) to Airbus U.S. facilities or partner companies
• Occasional International travel to collaborate with European Airbus counterparts

Eligibility:

• US Citizenship is required

Clearance:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a Government security clearance
• Active DoD security clearance at Secret or above highly desirable

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: able to see and read computer screen and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents.
• Hearing: able to hear to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds including safety warnings or alarms.
• Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment.
• Carrying: able to carry documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Lifting: able to lift documents, electronic equipment and/or supplies up to 40lbs/9kg.
• Sitting: able to sit for long periods of time in meetings, working on computer.
• Squatting / Kneeling: able to occasionally squat or kneel to retrieve or replace items shelved on bottom shelves.
• Standing: able to stand for long periods of time.
• Walking: able to walk through office and outside areas including uneven surfaces.

Equal Opportunity:

Airbus provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected status. In addition to federal law requirements, Airbus complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, benefits, and training. Airbus expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status or other legally protected status.

As a matter of policy, Airbus does not sponsor visas for US positions unless specified. Only applicants with current work authorization will be considered. Airbus does not offer tenured or guaranteed employment. Employment with Airbus is at will, meaning either the company or the employee can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Airbus reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

By submitting your resume or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or future employment. This information will only be used by Airbus. Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religious belief. Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to HR@airbusus.com.