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Mission Operations Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

E-Space

Mission Operations Director

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

Lead the Mission Operations organization, encompassing spacecraft operations, GNC, autonomy, and ... Lead the company's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and conjunction management efforts ...

E-Space

Mission Operations Director

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$100K - $180K/yr

Lead the Mission Operations organization, encompassing spacecraft operations, GNC, autonomy, and ... Lead the company's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and conjunction management efforts ...

E-Space

Mission Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$76K - $103K/yr

The Mission Operations Engineer will lead the testing effort for the Mission Ops program, ensuring ... case management systems • Expertise with Python, C++ for testing and automation, MPL and ...

Gallatin

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Mission Operations Engineer to join our Field Engineering team ... Work with Engagement Managers to surface customer‑specific feature requests and feed them into ...

Saronic

Mission Operations Operator, ALPV

Austin, TX · On-site

MUSV Fundamentals, Operations, Mission Manager (Digital Management), Advanced Operator, and Mission Integration/Readiness Exercises. Train and qualify military personnel on MUSV-specific operations ...

Gallatin AI, Inc

Mission Operations Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$68K - $93K/yr

About the Role We're looking for a Mission Operations Engineer to join our Field Engineering team ... Work with Engagement Managers to surface customer-specific feature requests and feed them into the ...

Method Security

Mission Operations Engineer

Manhattan, NY · On-site

$140K - $190K/yr

Role Overview As a Mission Operations Engineer at Method, you'll be responsible for the technical ... Create and manage test range environments for onboarding, training, and testing. * Serve as 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 ...

Saronic

Mission Operations Operator, ALPV

Austin, TX · On-site

MUSV Fundamentals, Operations, Mission Manager (Digital Management), Advanced Operator, and Mission Integration/Readiness Exercises. Train and qualify military personnel on MUSV-specific operations ...

E-Space

Mission Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$76K - $103K/yr

The Mission Operations Engineer will lead the testing effort for the Mission Ops program working ... Experience with test automation creation / test case management systems * Expertise with Python, C ...

E-Space

Mission Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA · On-site

$76K - $103K/yr

The Mission Operations Engineer will lead the testing effort for the Mission Ops program working ... Experience with test automation creation / test case management systems * Expertise with Python, C ...

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Mission Operations Manager information

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$63.5K

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How much do mission operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for mission operations manager in the United States is $63,456.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $77,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Mission Operations Manager do?

A Mission Operations Manager oversees the planning, execution, and monitoring of mission operations, often in fields like aerospace, defense, or satellite communications. They lead teams responsible for ensuring that missions are carried out safely, efficiently, and according to established protocols. Their role involves coordinating between different departments, managing resources, addressing technical challenges, and making real-time decisions during critical mission phases. Mission Operations Managers also analyze mission data and implement improvements for future missions. This position requires strong leadership, technical, and problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Mission Operations Manager?

To thrive as a Mission Operations Manager, you need expertise in project management, systems engineering, and operations planning, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with mission control systems, satellite operations software, and certifications like PMP are commonly required. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication set top candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for coordinating complex missions, ensuring operational success, and responding effectively to dynamic challenges.

What are the primary challenges a Mission Operations Manager faces when coordinating cross-functional teams during complex projects?

A Mission Operations Manager often navigates the challenge of aligning diverse teams—such as engineering, logistics, and communications—toward common mission objectives under tight deadlines. Effective communication, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving are key, as unforeseen technical or operational issues can arise. Balancing the needs and expectations of stakeholders while maintaining mission timelines requires strong leadership and organizational skills. Regular collaboration, status meetings, and clear delegation help ensure smooth operations and rapid response to any issues.

What is the difference between Mission Operations Manager vs Mission Planner?

AspectMission Operations ManagerMission Planner
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, aerospace, or related field; certifications in project managementBachelor's degree in aerospace, engineering, or related field; experience with mission planning software
Work EnvironmentOversees operations, manages teams, coordinates mission activitiesDevelops mission plans, analyzes data, prepares operational procedures
Employer & Industry UsageSpace agencies, defense contractors, aerospace companiesSpace agencies, satellite operators, aerospace firms

The Mission Operations Manager focuses on overseeing and coordinating entire mission activities, ensuring successful execution. In contrast, the Mission Planner specializes in designing and preparing mission plans and procedures. Both roles are essential in space missions but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Mission Operations Manager jobs?

Cities with the most Mission Operations Manager job openings:

Who are the top companies hiring for Mission Operations Manager jobs?

The top employers for Mission Operations Manager jobs are:

What states have the most Mission Operations Manager jobs?

States with the most job openings for Mission Operations Manager jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Mission Operations Manager jobs?

For Mission Operations Manager jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Mission Operations Manager job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,456 per year, or $30.5 per hour.

Mission Operations Director

Saratoga, CA • On-site

E-Space
See more jobs at E-Spaceexternal

$100K - $180K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure, and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!
At E-Space, we're focused on bridging Earth and space with the world's most sustainable low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network. We're a team of bold thinkers, ambitious leaders and dynamic doers-and we're disrupting NewSpace by fundamentally changing the design of legacy LEO space systems to deliver entirely new satellite capabilities at a fraction of the cost.
We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed-to saving space, to protecting our planet and to turning connectivity into actionable intelligence.
We're looking for an experienced Director of Mission Operations to lead the teams and technology that power our constellation. In this role, you'll define and execute the strategy for autonomous, high-reliability spacecraft operations - from launch through on-orbit optimization. You'll build the people, processes, and systems that ensure every satellite performs flawlessly and responsibly in orbit.
What you will be doing:
  • Lead the Mission Operations organization, encompassing spacecraft operations, GNC, autonomy, and ground system engineering.
  • Own the operational performance and health of the entire constellation - reliability, capacity, and latency.
  • Drive the vision and roadmap for fully autonomous, "lights-out" operations that scale without additionalheadcount.
  • Oversee all launch and commissioning campaigns, ensuring satellites transition smoothly from deployment to routine operations.
  • Partner with Ground Software, GNC, and Systems Engineering teams to architect an integrated, automated operations ecosystem.
  • Develop metrics, dashboards, and telemetry analysis frameworks to monitor constellation performance in real time.
  • Lead the company's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and conjunction management efforts, coordinating with U.S. Space Force, regulatory bodies, and other operators.
  • Build and mentor a high-performing, multi-disciplinary team of mission operators and engineers.
  • Guideoperational risk assessment, contingency planning, and anomaly response strategies.
  • Serve as the operational authority in major technical and programmatic decisions under time-critical conditions.

What you bring to this role:
  • 8+ years of experience in spacecraft or constellation operations, including leadership of mission operations or GNC teams.
  • Proven success operating or commissioning on-orbit spacecraft fleets (LEO preferred).
  • Expertise inautomation, telemetry, and command systems for satellite constellations.
  • Deep understanding of flight dynamics, GNC, and SSA principles.
  • Experience with ground system architecture, mission planning, and operations tools.
  • Strong background in operational reliability engineering and performance optimization.
  • Hands-on familiarity with software and scripting languages (Python, MATLAB, C++, or equivalent) for automation and analysis.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in high-pressure environments.

Bonus Points for the Following:
  • Experience building autonomous operations frameworks or "no human-in-the-loop" systems.
  • Familiarity with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or Earth observation missions.
  • Prior experience interfacing with Space Force, FCC, NOAA, or international regulatory bodies.
  • Passion for sustainable orbital operations and responsible satellite deployment.

Additional Requirements
This is a fast-paced, high-impact environment - flexibility to occasionally work extended hours or weekends during critical periods is expected.
$0 - $0 a year
The estimated range is meant to reflect an anticipated salary range for the position in question, which is based on market data and other factors, all of which are subject to change. Individual pay is based on location, skills and expertise, depth of relevant experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this, please speak to the recruiter if you decide to apply for the role and are selected for an interview.
This is a full time, exempt position, based out of our Saratoga office. The target base pay for this position is $100,000 - $180,000 annually. The total compensation packaged will be determined by various factors such as your relevant job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
We are redefining how satellites are designed, manufactured and used-so we're looking for candidates with passion, deep knowledge and direct experience on LEO satellite component development, design and in-orbit activities. If that's your experience - then we'll be immediately wow-ed.
E-Space is not currently able to provide employment sponsorship for candidates who do not hold work authorization for the location of this role.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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