[Hiring] Mission Operations Engineer @AIRBUS U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.

Role Description

Airbus U.S. is looking for an enthusiastic and creative Mission Operations Engineer to design, analyze, 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.

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.
• 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.

Qualifications

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Benefits

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

Company Description

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.