Mission Operations Engineer

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

You will be responsible for planning and successfully implementing technical training for our spacecraft missions. In this role, you will work cross-functionally with engineers from other disciplines, from the early stages of spacecraft design through on-orbit operations and decommissioning. The Mission Operations Engineer, functionally aligned with the Crew Operations & Training team, is responsible for preparing the mission operations team and crew members for mission readiness. This includes authoring training products; planning and executing classroom, mockup, and simulation-based training events; ensuring training programs run efficiently; and certifying the integrity and intent of formal training programs in support of the future of commercial human spaceflight.

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

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and deliver training programs and associated products/materials using a variety of delivery platforms, and conduct training to enable certification of console operators and crew members.
• Implement and iterate improvements to processes & systems with a focus on advancing Vast’s Mission Operations and Training approaches while maintaining Vast’s commitment to excellence.
• Identify areas for improvement of the training systems, 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 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, 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 ready for 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.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, mechanical, software engineering, or other engineering discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in the operation of complex systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with other engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to critically think in high stress environments and rapidly evolving situations.
• Ability to disseminate critical engineering & technical information effectively and clearly.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Willing to support 24/7 operations during mission critical phases.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• Experience in human spaceflight mission operations and/or training.
• Experience in technical training development and execution/delivery
• Master’s degree in a technical field.
• 1+ years working in a spacecraft design, build, and test environment.
• Technical knowledge in spacecraft systems engineering (avionics, propulsion, attitude control, communications, orbital mechanics, life support systems, thermal and power control systems).
• Strong technical writing and presentation development and delivery skills.
• Technical knowledge in Space-to-Ground Communication Systems (RF, Ground Stations, Modems, Antenna Systems).
• Experience building from scratch a system, process and team to perform complex operations and training for an aerospace system (launch vehicle, satellite, crew capsule).
• Software Engineering Skills (C++, Golang, Javascript, React, Software Architecture, Databases, Cloud).
• Matlab or Python/Octave Proficiency.
• Proficient at using the command line and scripting languages.

Additional Requirements:

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

Pay Range: 

• Mission Operations Engineer II: $100,000 - $142,100
• Mission Operations Engineer III (Senior): $135,800 - $176,400