Systems Engineer, Spacecraft Operations (RPO)

Role overview A spacecraft operations systems engineer role focused on rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), shaping how vehicles plan, rehearse, and execute close approaches to other objects in orbit. The position spans the full mission lifecycle, from pre-launch AI&T and flatsat validation through LEOP, commissioning, and on-orbit operations, with significant influence on GNC, flight software, and ground software design.

Responsibilities - Design RPO mission plans, including relative motion design, approach and hold-point sequencing, delta-V budgets, and timelines tied to comm passes and lighting - Build passive safety into every approach so off-nominal states cannot place the vehicle on a collision trajectory - Author flight rules and procedures covering keep-out volumes, go/no-go gates, abort and breakout criteria, custody handoffs, and conjunction screening - Own pre-launch readiness through day-in-the-life and mission rehearsals, injecting failures and driving findings into procedures or design - Validate procedures and command sequences on flatsats and hardware-in-the-loop testbeds with AI&T - Feed operational constraints back into GNC, flight software, ground software, and comms design - Triage anomalies, perform root-cause analysis, and coordinate responses under time pressure - Train operators and mission crews on spacecraft execution and RPO specifically - Coordinate licensing and regulatory requirements (FCC, NOAA) for proximity operations

Requirements - Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Top Secret security clearance - Strong engineering background, ideally in aerospace engineering, astrodynamics, computer science, or a related field - 4+ years of professional spacecraft operations, mission planning, or flight dynamics experience - Direct RPO experience on a flown or near-flight mission, covering relative orbit design, trajectory planning, maneuver planning and reconstruction, or close-approach execution on console - Experience taking a spacecraft through pre-launch operational readiness, including AI&T support, procedure validation, mission rehearsals, and operational readiness reviews - Clear written communication for procedures, flight rules, and training material

Nice to have - Experience with on-orbit servicing, inspection, docking, or refueling missions - Background in autonomous or onboard relative navigation, including vision-based or optical approaches - Flight dynamics depth in orbit determination, maneuver calibration, and reconstruction - Conjunction assessment experience - Familiarity with tools such as STK, GMAT, MATLAB, or Simulink - Python and Linux proficiency, plus hardware-in-the-loop testbed validation experience - Exposure to ground station operations and providers

Benefits and work setup - Colorado-based remote role expected to be filled from within the state - Base salary range of $126,000 to $167,000 USD, with highly competitive equity grants for full-time offers - Comprehensive benefits package with strong employee support - Demanding schedules expected during ground testing, launch windows, and on-orbit operations