Mission Engineer

About the role

Portal is seeking a Mission Engineer reporting to the Chief Product Officer. This is a multi-disciplinary role with an exciting opportunity to help shape a wide range of functions and systems at Portal spanning mission design, planning, and operations. Broadly, you will make orbital missions a success at Portal. Early focus will center on mission operations; however, the role will present opportunities for upstream work in mission and trajectory design, mission and vehicle performance studies, and external engagement with launch vehicle, regulatory, and customer stakeholders.

We’re a startup – expect a wide range of learning & development & leadership opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute operations on console in Portal’s Mission Control Center
• Develop protocols and train fellow engineers for console operations
• Generate GUIs, procedures, alerts, and mission rules
• Schedule ground passes, spacecraft tasks and maneuvers, and coordinate with external space traffic coordination groups
• Develop automations to increase capability of a growing fleet while reducing burden on operators
• Develop Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for upcoming missions
• Develop and execute 3DOF (degree of freedom) simulations to identify unique mission capabilities and solutions
• Track vehicle performance and perform vehicle trade studies to achieve customer needs
• Identify and manage mission needs and customer requirements
• Identify, plan, and close launch, regulatory, and customer deliverables
• Coordinate internally with Program Management, Engineering, and Supply Chain to ensure mission success and on-time delivery
• Plan detailed logistics for launch campaigns and support activities at the launch site
• …and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience in launch vehicle or spacecraft development or operations
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Experience in development engineering or similar activities that require ownership across several portions of the product lifecycle
• Experience in test, launch, or mission operations, or other similar activities requiring real-time operations support

Skills

• Experience obtaining regulatory approvals from FCC, ITU, NOAA, Range, etc.
• Deep familiarity with SSCMAN 91-710, SMC-S-016, and/or SMC-S-025
• Direct familiarity with one or more space traffic coordination systems
• Experience with 3DOF simulation tools such as STK, Copernicus, FreeFlyer
• Demonstrated past ownership and successful delivery of complex systems
• Willingness to obtain security clearance

Pay

Pay Range: $130,000 - $175,000

Benefits

• Long‑term incentives, in the form of company equity at an exciting time of company growth
• Potential bonuses
• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• Access to a 401(k)-retirement plan
• Paid parental leave
• 3 weeks of paid vacation
• 12 or more paid holidays per year
• Sick time

Schedule

Primarily onsite support with travel up to 25% time; willingness to support in real-time mission operations with shifting on-call support.