ClearSpace
Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer
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Company Overview
At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.
Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.
The Role
We are seeking a Senior Spacecraft Operations Engineer to lead the end-to-end design, development, and execution of mission operations. This role is instrumental in defining our ground and operations architecture, authoring flight procedures, and establishing a high-performing mission operations capability. You will drive operational readiness through simulation campaigns, manage risk during launch and early orbit phases (LEOP), and oversee long-term on-orbit spacecraft health and safety.
Role Responsibilities
Mission Operations Design & Development
- System Lifecycle Alignment: Lead end-to-end mission operations design mapped to spacecraft development schedules, system architectures, and product requirements.
- CONOPS & Documentation: Author comprehensive Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), flight rules, constraints, and nominal/contingency flight procedures.
- Space-Ground Requirements: Define operational requirements for the space and ground segments alongside the Ground Segment Engineering team.
- Operational Tooling: Design and develop software tools and databases for mission planning, telemetry analysis, command generation, and pass execution.
- Operational V&V: Formulate and execute Verification and Validation (V&V) plans for flight procedures using flatstats, simulators, and testbeds.
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Cross-Functional Engineering Integration
- Technical Interface: Act as operations interface for systems engineering, subsystem leads, ground networks, and external customers.
- Design Feedback Loop: Synthesise technical inputs from subsystem specialists to optimise spacecraft design for operational safety and observability.
- Milestone Reviews: Prepare technical packages for and present at critical milestones.
- Vendor Technical Oversight: Review and approve operational interfaces, deliverables, and ICDs provided by external satellite and ground suppliers.
Launch, Readiness, & Flight Execution
- Simulation & Rehearsals: Plan and direct operational rehearsals, anomaly simulations, and team training programs to ensure flight controllers are certified.
- LEOP & Commissioning: Lead real-time flight operations for Launch and Early Orbit Phases (LEOP), spacecraft commissioning, and routine phases.
- Mission Planning: Oversee post-launch operational planning, including orbital pass scheduling, ground station assignments, and command line activity generation.
- Console Operations: Serve as a flight controller on a rotating shift team during critical and routine mission windows.
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Operations Leadership
- Team Technical Leadership: Organise, mentor, and direct junior engineers through development, launch, and on-orbit operations.
- Standards & Best Practices: Establish rigorous industry standards, configuration management, and flight ops processes to ensure high mission assurance
Education and Experience Requirements
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
- More than 6+ years of practical experience in satellite or spacecraft operations or development.
- Practical experience in satellite operation design and planning.
- Demonstrated technical understanding of: spacecraft design, spacecraft launch and on-orbit operations, spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control.
- Experience in creating operational documents (such as operation handbooks, plans, and procedures).
- Practical knowledge of ground systems for satellite operations.
- Ability to identify problems, analyze causes, and implement solutions.
- Strong communication skills suitable for teamwork.
- Proficiency in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure.
- Proficiency in programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust.
- Proficiency with Linux/Unix.
- Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes.
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