Mission Planning Engineer III – Blue Ring

About the role

The role is part of the In-Space Systems business unit, focusing on space infrastructure and increasing mobility on-orbit. You will lead mission planning processes, products, and workflows, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and constraints.

Responsibilities

• Design and own end-to-end mission planning process from mission design through operational execution
• Establish constraint frameworks for scheduling, sequencing, and validation across all Blue Ring missions
• Translate system-level requirements, mission design outputs, and mission objectives into actionable planning requirements
• Define command sequence structure, procedure formats, and play architectures aligned with the mission planning process
• Ensure mission planners have clear, validated activity templates, planning tools, and operational processes
• Partner with software architects and developers to define operational requirements and integrate mission-specific activity templates and command sequences into planning tools
• Lead development of mission planning operational products, including activity templates, constraint definitions, planning procedures, and timeline products
• Support test activities and rehearsals as the mission planning technical lead, ensuring verification and validation through simulation, rehearsal, and review processes
• Mentor and guide junior mission planning engineers and operations team members
• Represent mission planning in cross-functional forums and design reviews

Qualifications

• Active US Government Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance
• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field
• 5+ years of experience in spacecraft mission operations, mission planning, flight dynamics, or flight operations
• Demonstrated experience designing or contributing to new mission planning processes, tools, or systems
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and their impact on operational planning
• Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment

Desired

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
• Experience with multi-mission or constellation operations planning
• Experience leading or coordinating test exercises, rehearsals, or operational readiness activities
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches
• Experience with ground system command and control architectures
• Experience with hosted or separable payload mission planning and operations
• Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques to engineering workflows