ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mission Operations Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Anduril Industries

Mission Operations Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$74K - $100K/yr

ABOUT THE TEAM The Mission Operations (MOPs) team owns the execution, growth, and success of our customer accounts. Working across product, engineering, test, business development, and logistics ...

Anduril Industries

Mission Operations Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$74K - $100K/yr

ABOUT THE TEAM The Mission Operations (MOPs) team owns the execution, growth, and success of our customer accounts. Working across product, engineering, test, business development, and logistics ...

Nominal

Mission Operations Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · 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 ...

Apex

Mission Operations Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $160K/yr

About the Role We are seeking an experienced and motivated Mission Operations Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will own all aspects of operating our satellites-covering mission planning ...

Astrolab

Sr. Mission Operations Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · 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 ...

Vast

Staff Mission Operations Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$73K - $98K/yr

Vast is looking for a Staff Mission Operations Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training , to support the development of the systems required to enable and execute the ...

Vast

Staff Mission Operations Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$73K - $98K/yr

Vast is looking for a Staff Mission Operations Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training , to support the development of the systems required to enable and execute the ...

Astrolab

Sr. Mission Operations Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

The Sr. Mission Operations Engineer will perform the development, integration, testing, and execution of mission operations concepts for crewed and uncrewed lunar rover programs supporting ...

Astrolab

Sr. Mission Operations Engineer

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$174K - $196K/yr

The Sr. Mission Operations Engineer will perform the development, integration, testing, and execution of mission operations concepts for crewed and uncrewed lunar rover programs supporting ...

Vast

Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

Vast is looking for a Senior Mission Operations Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training , to support the development of the systems required to enable and execute the ...

Vast

Senior Mission Operations Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

Vast is looking for a Senior Mission Operations Engineer reporting to the Senior Manager of Crew Operations & Training , to support the development of the systems required to enable and execute the ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMission Operations Engineer JobsMission Operations Engineer Jobs in California

Mission Operations Engineer information

See California salary details

$25.4K

$87.5K

$139K

How much do mission operations engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for mission operations engineer in California is $87,545.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,100.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mission operations engineer?

A Mission Operations Engineer is a professional responsible for planning, executing, and monitoring the operational aspects of space missions, satellites, or other aerospace projects. They ensure that mission procedures are followed, troubleshoot anomalies, and coordinate with various teams to maintain the health and safety of spacecraft. Their role often involves real-time monitoring, data analysis, and the development of operational protocols. Mission Operations Engineers play a critical role in ensuring the success and longevity of space missions.

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

To thrive as a Mission Operations Engineer, you need a solid background in aerospace engineering, computer science, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with satellite or spacecraft operations. Familiarity with mission control software, telemetry systems, and industry-standard tools such as MATLAB, STK, or scripting languages is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are crucial for coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and responding to real-time mission events. These skills ensure the safe, efficient, and successful operation of complex space missions under dynamic and high-stakes conditions.

What are some common challenges mission operations engineers face when supporting live space missions?

Mission Operations Engineers often encounter challenges such as responding quickly to unexpected spacecraft anomalies, troubleshooting complex technical issues under tight time constraints, and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams across different time zones. Maintaining situational awareness during high-pressure mission phases, such as critical maneuvers or data downlinks, is essential. This role requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication to ensure mission objectives are met and spacecraft health is maintained.

What is the difference between Mission Operations Engineer vs Satellite Operations Engineer?

AspectMission Operations EngineerSatellite Operations Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, physics, or related field; certifications varyBachelor's in engineering, physics, or related field; satellite-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentMission control centers, ground stations, space agenciesSatellite control centers, ground stations, aerospace companies
Employer & IndustryNASA, SpaceX, aerospace firmsSatellite service providers, defense contractors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both roles involve ground operations and technical expertise in space systems. Mission Operations Engineers focus on overall mission success, including spacecraft and payload management, while Satellite Operations Engineers specialize in maintaining and controlling satellite systems. The roles often overlap in skills and work environments, but their specific focus areas differ within the space industry.

Mission Operations Engineer

Costa Mesa, CA • On-site

Anduril Industries
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Anduril Industriesexternal

$74K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Anduril rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Anduril

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

ABOUT THE TEAM
The Mission Operations (MOPs) team owns the execution, growth, and success of our customer accounts. Working across product, engineering, test, business development, and logistics, Mission Operations Engineers own the customer relationship and are accountable for getting Anduril products into the hands of operators and keeping them effective there.
ABOUT THE JOB
We are looking for a Mission Operations Engineer to own the Barracuda family of affordable, autonomous cruise missiles. You will become the company expert on how Barracuda is employed: the all-up round, its launch and employment systems, mission planning, and the customer units and kill chains it plugs into. You will spend a significant share of your time in the field partnered with our Test & Evaluation team, executing tests, demonstrations, and customer events. As Barracuda moves from development into production and O&S contracts, you will carry the account forward into fielded sustainment support. This role is in-person at one of our office locations and requires frequent domestic and international travel (up to 50%).
WHAT YOU'LL DO
  • Own the Barracuda mission. Become intimately familiar with the Barracuda product line, its employment and launch systems, mission planning workflows, and the customer operations and tactics it supports. Be the person the customer calls and the person engineering trusts to represent the operator.
  • Support test, demos, and events. Partner with Test & Evaluation to plan and execute flight tests, live-fire demonstrations, capability exercises, and customer events. Own the operational side of getting to the range: site coordination, hardware readiness, operator training, range and safety requirements, and debriefing results back to the customer and the product team.
  • Train and enable operators. Build and deliver the training that lets end users plan, load, and employ Barracuda without us in the room. Capture how they actually use the system and feed that back into TTPs, training products, and product requirements.
  • Shape the product. Translate customer mission problems into concrete engineering feedback and requirements. Represent the operator at design and program reviews and push hard on the changes that move mission effectiveness.
  • Grow into sustainment. Partner with Logistics and Integrated Product Support to stand up the support model behind a fielded munition: all-up-round accountability and spares, technical data and manuals, support equipment, storage and transportation, and field support concepts. As O&S contracts come online, own the operational side of delivering against them.
  • Grow the account. Build trust-based relationships from the operator to the executive level, articulate where Barracuda fits in the customer's problem set, and support proposals and new opportunities that expand the program.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or a related technical field (equivalent military or operational experience may be substituted in lieu of education).
  • 4+ years of operational, test, or program experience in a military and/or defense industry environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to learn a complex weapon system end to end - hardware, software, employment systems, and the operations it supports - and explain it credibly to both operators and engineers.
  • Experience planning and executing field activity: tests, exercises, demonstrations, deployments, or live-fire events.
  • Strong technical aptitude and intellectual curiosity; comfortable working directly with engineers on a system you did not build.
  • Clear, direct written and verbal communication; able to distill a messy problem into a plan and drive it to completion.
  • Bias toward action and an ownership mentality - you find gaps and close them rather than reporting them.
  • Ability to remain effective in austere, ambiguous, and rapidly changing environments.
  • Able to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret clearance, with the ability to obtain Top Secret access.
  • Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Operational or test experience with cruise missiles, munitions, or precision strike weapons - employment, mission planning, weaponeering, or targeting.
  • Military background in a strike, fires, weapons, aircrew, EOD/ammunition, or armament role, or service as a weapons and tactics instructor.
  • Experience with autonomous or unmanned air systems and their launch, control, and mission planning systems.
  • Prior work supporting flight test campaigns, range operations, or joint capability demonstrations.
  • Familiarity with munitions logistics: all-up-round accountability, storage and transportation of energetics, ammunition surveillance, and depot or field support constructs.
  • Exposure to DoD acquisition and sustainment (product support strategy, CLS, or O&S contract execution).
  • Experience delivering operator training or authoring TTPs, tactics manuals, or technical publications.
  • Foreign Military Sales or allied partner engagement experience.
  • Experience at a startup, a new program start, or as the first person supporting a program.

Working at Anduril

About Anduril, in their own words

From Anduril

As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril delivers cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the warfighter in months, not years.

What Anduril employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Anduril Industries logo

About Anduril Industries

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Anduril Industries is a trailblazer in the technology industry based in Costa Mesa, CA, US. Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, the creator of Oculus VR, the company focuses on developing innovative technology to equip and empower those in the defense sector. Its primary products include cutting-edge autonomous systems and AI software that assist in combating threats to national and global security. The mission of Anduril Industries is to integrate technology and defense by building transformative, scalable solutions that ensure a safer world.

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Costa Mesa, CA, US

Year founded

2017

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Anduril Industries Jobs

Apply