1

Mission Operations Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mission Operations Specialist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$54K - $73K/yr

The Mission Operations Specialist serves as the frontline technical representative supporting ... Cross-functionally coordinate with logistics, engineering, and program teams to ensure successful ...

Mission Operations Specialist

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$54K - $73K/yr

The Mission Operations Specialist serves as the frontline technical representative supporting ... Cross-functionally coordinate with logistics, engineering, and program teams to ensure successful ...

Mission Operations Director

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

Lead the Mission Operations organization, encompassing spacecraft operations, GNC, autonomy, and ... Partner with Ground Software, GNC, and Systems Engineering teams to architect an integrated ...

Showing results 41-60

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 14, 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, Amazon Leo For Government

El Segundo, CA • On-site

Amazon
IT Services • 10K+ employees

$74K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,180 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Amazon Leo is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Its mission is to bring fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world. Amazon Leo will help close the digital divide by delivering fast, affordable broadband to a wide range of customers, including consumers, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity.
Within Amazon Leo, Amazon Leo for Government (ALG) is a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to addressing the needs of targeted government, enterprise, and international customers for both space-based and terrestrial applications.
As an ALG Mission Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for the end-to-end operational health and performance of spacecraft for ALG's targeted customers. You will work closely with the Amazon Leo Mission Operations team, leveraging their expertise and infrastructure and adapting as needed to meet unique customer requirements. You will also partner with Ground Software, Flight Software, and Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL) teams to develop highly automated command and control interfaces, telemetry monitoring interfaces, and operational procedure verification tools that enhance mission operations efficiency, reliability, and scalability.
Key job responsibilities
- Plan, execute, and monitor spacecraft operations across all mission phases including launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) operations, bus and payload commissioning, nominal operations, contingency response, decommissioning and end-of-life disposal
- Develop and maintain comprehensive Concept Of Operations (CONOPS) knowledge of the spacecraft bus and all subsystems and payloads, including their interactions, constraints, and failure modes
- Design, plan, and participate in mission rehearsals
- Perform both on-console and back office support of spacecraft health assessment, telemetry analysis, and anomaly investigation
- Design, develop, and maintain operational procedures, automation tools, and software utilities to support mission operations workflows
- Conduct testing and validation in hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) environments to verify operational procedures, flight software updates, and command sequences prior to on-orbit execution
- Collaborate with subsystem subject matter experts, flight software developers, and ground systems engineers to resolve on-orbit issues and improve operation
- Participate in on-call operations rotation and support anomaly resolution activities as needed
- Contribute to the improvement of ground system tools, automated testing of operational procedures, and CI/CD pipelines
Security Clearance : This position requires that the candidate selected be a US Citizen and candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a US Government security clearance of TS/SCI.
About the team
Amazon Leo For Government (ALG) Engineering collaborates closely with other Amazon Leo teams to leverage the constellation in providing seamless and efficient communication capabilities to meet the needs of our targeted customers.
The Systems Engineering, Integration, Test, and Manufacturing (SEIT|MFG) team under ALG Engineering plays a vital role in the entire life cycle of an engineering solution for our targeted customers, including architecture development, requirements and interface definition, assembly, integration, and test (AI&T), manufacturing, and post-delivery operations.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related fields
- 3+ years of experience in spacecraft mission operations, with demonstrated understanding of subsystems including Command and Data Handling (C&DH), Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Power, Thermal, GNC, and Propulsion
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and respond to complex on-orbit anomalies
- Experience with automated testing of operational procedures using Hardware-In-The-Loop (HITL)
- Active or ability to obtain a U.S. government security clearance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) or Radio Frequency (RF) payloads
- Experience with performing formal Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) methods
- Experience with designing and implementing onboard Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery (FDIR) mechanisms
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company's reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, CA, El Segundo - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually
USA, CA, NORTHRIDGE - 129,200.00 - 174,800.00 USD annually

What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US