1

Mission Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mission Operations

New York, NY ยท On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

The Role Mission Operations at Distributed Spectrum will be at the heart of transforming raw RF data into actionable intelligence in operational environments. Empowered by AI-driven sensing, you'll ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Reston, VA ยท Remote

$71K - $96K/yr

Reliant Space is seeking an Mission Operations Engineer to support real-time on-orbit operations for a lunar lander mission. This is a hybrid remote and in-office position that will require travel ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be at the center of how ACS technologies are applied across real-world missions. You'll plan and execute domestic and international events, provide critical ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be at the center of how ACS technologies are applied across real-world missions. You'll plan and execute domestic and international events, provide critical ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be at the center of how ACS technologies are applied across real-world missions. You'll plan and execute domestic and international events, provide critical ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX ยท On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be at the center of how ACS technologies are applied across real-world missions. You'll plan and execute domestic and international events, provide critical ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA ยท On-site

$74K - $100K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB The Mission Operations (MOPs) team is responsible for managing the execution, growth, and success of our customer accounts. Working across product, engineering, sales, and logistics ...

Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Irvine, CA ยท On-site

$130K - $190K/yr

The Senior Mission Operations Engineer will be responsible for leading the development, integration, and execution of mission operations across the spacecraft lifecycle. This role serves as a primary ...

Mission Operations Engineer

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will bridge the software with real-world applications, ensuring solutions exceed operational requirements and transforming customer operations. Responsibilities ...

Mission Operations Center Manager

Denver, CO ยท On-site

$140K - $175K/yr

Entarian is seeking an experienced Mission Operations Center Manager to assist in leading the execution of a complex space mission operations capability supporting DoD mission requirements. The ideal ...

Sr. Mission Operations Engineer

Hawthorne, CA ยท On-site

$174K - $196K/yr

Sr. Mission Operations Engineer Department: Mission Systems Employment Type: Full Time Location: Hawthorne, California Reporting To: George Motter Compensation: $174,000 - $196,000 / year Description ...

Mission Operations Specialists orchestrate the deployment and operation of HavocAI platforms and HavocCloud products in support of customer missions. This role leads the planning and execution of ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Mission Operations information

See salary details

$11

$19

$30

How much do mission operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for mission operations in the United States is $19.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is mission operations?

Mission Operations refers to the planning, coordination, and execution of activities required to support and manage a mission, typically in aerospace, satellite, or space exploration contexts. Mission operations teams monitor systems, analyze data, and respond to anomalies to ensure the mission's objectives are achieved safely and efficiently. These professionals work closely with engineers, scientists, and project managers before, during, and after mission execution. Their work is critical to the success and longevity of complex missions, such as satellite deployments or interplanetary probes.

What are some common challenges faced by mission operations teams, and how can new team members prepare for them?

Mission Operations teams often work in high-pressure environments where real-time decision-making is critical, especially during key mission phases such as launches or anomaly responses. New team members may find it challenging to adapt to the fast-paced nature and the need for precise communication among cross-functional teams. To prepare, it's helpful to familiarize yourself with mission protocols, simulation exercises, and the specific systems you'll be supporting. Building strong collaboration skills and learning from experienced colleagues can also make the transition smoother.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mission operations specialist?

To excel as a Mission Operations Specialist, you need a solid background in systems engineering, problem-solving, and a relevant STEM degree such as aerospace engineering or physics. Familiarity with mission control software, satellite communication systems, and certifications like ITAR compliance are commonly required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and effective communication distinguish top performers in this field. These skills ensure safe, efficient operations and successful coordination of complex, high-stakes missions.

What is the difference between Mission Operations vs Mission Planning?

AspectMission OperationsMission Planning
Primary FocusExecuting and managing ongoing missions, ensuring operational successDesigning and preparing mission strategies and procedures
Required SkillsOperational management, real-time decision making, technical troubleshootingStrategic planning, technical analysis, coordination
Work EnvironmentMission control centers, field operationsDesign offices, planning meetings
CertificationsOften requires technical certifications, project managementRequires planning and technical certifications, project management

Mission Operations focuses on the execution and management of active missions, ensuring smooth operations. In contrast, Mission Planning involves designing mission strategies and preparing for upcoming missions. Both roles require technical expertise and often overlap in skills, but they serve different stages of the mission lifecycle.

More about Mission Operations jobs
What cities are hiring for Mission Operations jobs? Cities with the most Mission Operations job openings:
What states have the most Mission Operations jobs? States with the most job openings for Mission Operations jobs include:
Infographic showing various Mission Operations job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,222 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Mission Operations

Distributed Spectrum Inc

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to decipher it, and run them on the smallest chips we can. We're solving a new, technically hard problem where nothing from other fields works out of the box, and along the way, we've built our own stack from scratch, including entirely new embedding model architectures, custom GPU kernels, and much more.
Joining DS means owning major parts of a fast-growing AI research organization, joining a collaborative, talent-dense team with decades of experience in probabilistic ML, accelerated computing, embedded systems, and signal theory, and growing your career in the areas that interest you. You'll fit in if you want to come to work for the problem itself and don't want to choose between technical rigor, business value, and real-world impact.
We work with high ownership and trust.
The Role
Mission Operations at Distributed Spectrum will be at the heart of transforming raw RF data into actionable intelligence in operational environments. Empowered by AI-driven sensing, you'll ensure operators can detect, understand, and respond to emerging threats at the edge. You'll work on everything from deploying sensors in the field, integrating systems, and building operational toolchains to supporting customer missions in real time.
What You'll Do
  • Operate and support live mission deployments, working with edgeโ€‘AI sensors to detect and classify threats from RF environments.
  • Lead hands-on field operations, including deployment planning, sensor configuration, testing, troubleshooting, and data validation.
  • Design and improve mission workflows, translating operator needs into technical specifications, products, and real-world capabilities.
  • Collaborate closely with engineering teams, feeding customer insights back to drive rapid iteration on sensor hardware, software, and AI models.
  • Drive training and documentation efforts, ensuring that internal teams and customers have the tools and knowledge to operate efficiently.
  • Support mission planning and execution, including preparing test scenarios, overseeing data collection during deployments, and coordinating post-mission debriefs.
  • Ensure data integrity and operational readiness, maintaining system health, monitoring performance, and contributing to continued development of our core platform.

Who You Are
  • Experience in mission operations or field engineering roles, ideally in RF, sensing, autonomy, or related domains.
  • Background in signal processing, communications engineering, or similar technical fields.
  • Proficiency with data collection workflows, operational tooling, dashboards, or field instrumentation.
  • Strong troubleshooting, adaptability, and an edge-case mindset.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, comfortable with both technical teams and field operators.
  • Willingness to travel extensively and work in diverse, sometimes austere, environments.
  • Eligible for US security clearance

Nice to Have
  • Military or government experience working with RF systems
  • Familiarity with tools for autonomous system integration
  • Experience with AI-informed, edgeโ€‘deployed sensors, or autonomy platforms.

Why Distributed Spectrum?
  • Join early at a startup solving real-world RF detection challenges with cutting-edge AI.
  • Work in a fast-moving, operator-focused culture where ideas move from concept to deployment in weeks not years.
  • Be part of a team of cross-disciplinary problem solvers: visionaries, engineers, and field operators uniting on mission-critical impact.
  • Benefit from a supportive workplace that values autonomy, collaboration, and direct impact.
Who Thrives at Distributed Spectrum
  • Fast learners over specific backgrounds - We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you've worked before.
  • Intellectual honesty - The right answer matters more than being right. You challenge assumptions, test ideas, and pivot when needed.
  • Adaptability - We're organized, but sometimes things change quickly. You find a way to make it work and balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals.
  • Ownership of outcomes - You optimize your own time, focus on what matters to deliver quickly, and cut out inefficiencies.
  • Not building in a vacuum - You stay connected to the rest of our teams and our customers to make sure all the pieces fit together.

What We Offer
  • Above-market salary, equity, and benefits package.
  • Early Series A Equity
  • Excellent health, dental, and vision coverage
  • 401(k) match - up to 4% of your salary
  • Flexible PTO
  • Daily office lunches in NYC

ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.