Lead Operations Engineer

Responsibilities

• Own all Mission Operations deliverables for a given satellite program — from BD/proposal phase, through CONOPS development and AI&T, into live operations and disposal.
• Serve as the integrating generalist engineer across subsystem teams (GNC, FSW, FDIR, propulsion, thermal, ground, RF, avionics, EE), tying specialist work into a unified, operable mission design.
• Define, scope, and task the Operations team's work for the program — build the plan and drive execution.
• Lead and mentor a small, multidisciplinary team of ~4–5 engineers.
• Contribute engineering and operational content to business development proposals.
• Develop and mature CONOPS from early concept through operations.
• Support AI&T as a systems-level generalist, and lead anomaly investigation and resolution across the program.
• Represent Operations in cross-functional design reviews and program milestones.
• Support critical mission phases (launch, early orbit, RPO events) as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field (aerospace/astronautical preferred).
• Roughly 10+ years of experience in the space industry, or equivalent depth.
• Strong engineering fundamentals with demonstrated technical depth across multiple spacecraft subsystems.
• Able to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance (U.S. citizenship required).
• Willing to work on-site in Colorado Springs or Denver.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in a related discipline.
• Experience across the full satellite program lifecycle — BD/proposals, CONOPS development, AI&T, and live operations.
• In-depth knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, especially GNC and flight software (FSW).
• Experience with relative navigation, rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and closed-loop target tracking and maneuvering.
• Familiarity with Atlassian tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Proficiency in one or more programming languages and comfort with basic scripting.
• Experience supporting USSF and/or Intelligence Community space defense missions (space control / orbital warfare).
• Experience with Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission systems, sensors, or operations.
• Familiarity with missile defense architectures and operations.