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Orbit Operations Engineer

Join Reflect Orbital as an Orbit Operations Engineer to manage spacecraft operations and develop operational infrastructure.

Location
Hawthorne, CA
Compensation
Not disclosed
Level
mid
Type
full time

Posted by employer 3 weeks ago

First seen on Joblaze 1 week ago

Last verified on the company career page 1 day ago

Apply at Reflect Orbital → Save job Scanned from reflectorbital.com

Skills & Technologies

Requirements

Experience
3+ years
Education
Bachelor's degree

Not disclosed in this posting: compensation, work arrangement, visa sponsorship.

Benefits

401k Match Unlimited PTO Health Insurance

Joblaze summary

In the role of Orbit Operations Engineer at Reflect Orbital, the individual will manage spacecraft operations and develop the necessary infrastructure for mission success. Key skills include proficiency in mission control software, programming in Python or C++, and a solid understanding of spacecraft systems. This position is ideal for someone with at least three years of experience in satellite operations, particularly those who thrive in high-pressure environments and enjoy taking ownership of their work. Reflect Orbital emphasizes collaboration within a small team, fostering an environment where innovative problem-solving is encouraged.

Joblaze insights

Quick facts

How much experience is required?
At least 3 years of relevant experience for this Orbit Operations Engineer role.
What's the tech stack?
Joblaze extracted these technologies from the posting: C++, CI/CD, Docker, Git, Linux, Python.
What seniority level is this role?
Reflect Orbital targets mid-level candidates for this position.
Is this full-time or contract?
Full-time for this Orbit Operations Engineer role at Reflect Orbital.

From the original posting

At Reflect, you will be expected to move fast, have a lot of ownership and, most importantly, be able to effect change. If this excites you, we are interested in hearing about your best work and accomplishments across any domain and from any points in your life.

About the Role

As an Orbit Operations Engineer, you'll own both the day-to-day operation of our spacecraft and the development of the operational infrastructure that makes it all work. This is a high-ownership role on a small, collaborative mission operations team. You won't just execute procedures, you'll write them, improve them, and help define how we operate as a company.

You'll monitor spacecraft health, investigate anomalies, plan maneuvers, and coordinate ground station passes. You'll also build and refine the tools, scripts, and processes that keep our future fleet running smoothly. As our constellation grows, you'll help shape operational strategies, maintain and update mission requirements, and drive continuous improvement across our satellite and ground segment.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor real-time telemetry and spacecraft subsystem health

  • Triage and investigate on-orbit anomalies end-to-end and document findings and lessons learned to improve fleet reliability

  • Perform long-term telemetry trending and performance analysis to detect subsystem degradation, refine alarm limits, and inform operational and design decisions

  • Plan and execute spacecraft maneuvers, station-keeping, and orbital adjustments

  • Coordinate ground station passes and scheduling

  • Support LEOP, bus and payload commissioning, and orbit-raising campaigns for new satellites, executing procedures and contributing to in-orbit test and checkout

  • Develop, validate, and maintain operational procedures and command sequences

  • Build automation for telemetry monitoring and alerting, pass scheduling, routine commanding, and anomaly detection and response

  • Collaborate with spacecraft engineering teams to define CONOPS, fault management, and spacecraft procedures

  • Support deployment and testing of ground software updates and infrastructure changes

  • Validate procedures, command sequences, and automation against simulation and hardware-in-the-loop environments prior to on-orbit execution

  • Define, validate, and maintain onboard FDIR and fault management responses

  • Plan and execute operational readiness activities, including simulations and dress rehearsals

  • Participate in 24/7 rotating shift work to meet mission needs

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field

  • 3+ years of experience in satellite mission operations or a related field

  • Solid understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystem interactions

  • Proficiency with mission control software (e.g. OpenC3 COSMOS, Kratos EPOCH, L3Harris InControl, or similar)

  • Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C++ preferred)

  • Familiarity with Linux environments and command-line tools

  • Experience with DevOps tools and practices (Git, Docker, CI/CD)

  • Familiarity with RF systems, ground station operations, or link budgets

  • Experience developing operational requirements or CONOPS documentation

  • Strong troubleshooting skills, with experience using data analysis to diagnose complex systems

  • Clear written and verbal communication skills

  • Sound judgment and composure in real-time, high-pressure operational environments

  • Experience operating multi-satellite constellations or fleets is a plus

Even if you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, we are likely still interested in hearing from you. Hiring exceptional individuals is our #1 priority, and we believe that exceptional people often have highly unusual backgrounds.

We are also interested in carving out unique roles for unconventional people that we are excited about working with.

Benefits

Reflect Orbital’s success will hinge on our team, which is why our compensation and benefits plan is designed to reward our employees and support their families as generously as we’re able.

  • Broad choice of medical/dental/vision coverage, Reflect covers 100% of each base-policy

  • Access to HSA, FSA, and 401K

  • Unlimited paid time off

  • Healthy lunches provided daily

Equal Opportunity

Reflect Orbital is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Reflect Orbital is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

More about Reflect Orbital:

Learn more about our team here.

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