Mission Operations Engineer

Vast is looking for a(n) Staff Mission Operations Engineer, reporting to the Senior Manager, Crew Operations & Training, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and deliver training and human in the loop testing programs and associated products/materials using a variety of delivery platforms, and conduct training to enable certification of console flight controllers and astronaut crew members.
• Implement and iterate improvements to processes & systems with a focus on advancing Vast’s Mission Operations, Training, and human in the loop testing approaches while maintaining Vast’s commitment to excellence.
• Identify areas for improvement of the training systems, human in the loop testing, Mission Systems, Mission Operations Software, and other ground system architecture features and processes, and collaborate with the Mission Systems Engineering & Ground Software Engineering teams to test, deploy, and maintain them.
• Work closely with Mission Management to ensure customer requirements (including but not limited to payloads, customer directed science, and other research activities) are translated to a Concept of Operations that balances all needs.
• Work with engineers across disciplines to support the development of spacecraft operations training programs and crew operations procedures with intimate knowledge of ground procedures, flight rules, hazard reports and controls, products & processes; culminating in the safe & successful operations of a newly launched spacecraft and crew.
• Provide operational support as the operations expert in planning for and execution of pre-flight testing and checkouts to ensure training systems, spacecraft, and ground systems are capable to execute readiness campaigns and flight.
• As directed, train for and operate Vast’s crewed and uncrewed missions for vehicle commissioning, on-orbit operations, anomaly resolution, and final deorbit of the spacecraft.
• As directed, perform routine analysis of vehicle telemetry and deliver informed summaries as well as recommendations to mission stakeholders as well as to other engineering disciplines for further review & analysis.
• As directed, train for and lead the flight control team in real-time mission execution.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Experience in human spaceflight mission operations, human in the loop testing campaigns, and/or spaceflight operations crew and flight control team technical training development and execution/delivery.
• Master’s degree in a technical field.
• 3+ years working in a spacecraft design, build, and test environment.
• 10+ years of experience in the operation and training of complex spaceflight systems, including demonstrated on-console leadership in real-time spaceflight operations as a flight, mission, or operations director.
• Technical knowledge in spacecraft systems engineering (avionics, propulsion, attitude control, RF and/or optical communications, orbital mechanics, life support systems, thermal and power control systems).
• Technical knowledge in Space-to-Ground Communication Systems (RF, Ground Stations, Modems, Antenna Systems).
• Software Engineering Skills (C++, Golang, Javascript, React, Matlab, Python/Octave, Software Architecture, Databases, Cloud).
• Proficient at using command line interfaces and scripting languages associated with spaceflight ground systems.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to travel up to 20% of the time.
• Willingness to work overtime, or weekends to support critical mission milestones.