Head of Mission Operations

The role

Mission Strategy & Leadership Lead the development of mission operations implementation for all satellite launches and on-orbit activities, working closely with the engineering teams and the end customers. Oversee end-to-end mission lifecycle including supporting integration, pre-launch operations testing, end-to-end testing, launch operations, commissioning, and handover to customer. Design and implement customer training and readiness assessments to ensure seamless handover of operations at the right time. Manage all operations related reviews and support others e.g. Mission Readiness Review… Operations Leadership Manage a global network of mission operations centres and ground stations. Note: the build will be led from the engineering teams and will require strong collaboration with the Head of Mission Operations. Establish 24/7 operations capability with redundancy, resiliency, and secure communications. Assign KPIs and ensure design, training and operations supports achieving them. Ensure all mission operations software, procedures, and teams are launch-ready. Ensure all team members are well-trained in liaising with and supporting the customer as they develop their own ops team… Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with satellite engineering, manufacturing, software, launch integration, and ground systems teams. Collaborate with customers to adapt training to their needs. Collaborate with international partners, ground station networks, and government agencies (e.g., regulatory bodies, space traffic coordination). Team Leadership & Development Recruit, grow, and manage a high-performance mission operations team including flight directors, controllers, operations engineers, specialist engineers and analysts. Foster a culture of precision, accountability, and continuous improvement. Develop training programs and simulations to ensure mission team readiness and ongoing certification. Systems, Tools & Compliance Oversee the development and deployment of mission operations software and tools. Ensure compliance with international and national regulations, including ITU filings, FCC licensing, and space situational awareness protocols. Implement best practices for cybersecurity and secure satellite command and telemetry.

What we expect

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Physics, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in satellite or space mission operations, including flight operations and ground control.
• Proven track record of leading successful satellite missions, from LEO to GEO.
• Experience in regulated, mission-critical environments (e.g., NASA, ESA, commercial space).
• Familiarity with space communication protocols, mission planning tools, and satellite bus subsystems.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and critical incident management skills.
• Willingness to travel internationally and participate in launch campaigns.