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Mission Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

E-Space

Mission Operations Engineer

Saratoga, CA

$76K - $103K/yr

The Mission Operations Engineer will lead the testing effort for the Mission Ops program working onsite in our Saratoga, CA office location. The ideal candidate has experience as an individual ...

Lux Aeterna

Senior Mission Operations Manager

Denver, CO · On-site

Senior Mission Operations Manager Denver, CO | Full Time | Senior Level The Mission Space is the infrastructure layer for humanity's next industrial revolution. While reusable rockets have opened the ...

JT4 LLC

Mission Operations / Controller II

Las Vegas, NV · On-site

$42/hr

Job Summary -- Essential Functions/Duties The Mission Operations Controller II provides control, coordination, and direction to personnel operating system assets involved in mission activity. The ...

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Mission Operations information

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How much do mission operations jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 20, 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 jobs in the US pay 300,000 a year?

In mission operations, senior roles such as mission directors, program managers, or specialized engineers can reach or exceed $300,000 annually, especially with experience, advanced certifications, and working for large organizations or government agencies. High-paying positions often require extensive expertise, leadership skills, and sometimes security clearances or advanced degrees.

What are 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 does a mission operations engineer do?

A mission operations engineer is responsible for planning, monitoring, and controlling space missions to ensure successful satellite or spacecraft operations. They use specialized software and tools to track mission progress, troubleshoot issues, and coordinate with teams to execute mission plans. This role often requires knowledge of spacecraft systems, communication protocols, and adherence to safety and operational procedures.

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, and why are they important?

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 are 5 careers in operations?

Careers in operations include roles such as operations manager, supply chain analyst, logistics coordinator, production supervisor, and quality assurance specialist. These positions involve managing processes, optimizing workflows, and ensuring efficiency within organizations, often requiring skills in project management and familiarity with operational tools. They are common across industries like manufacturing, logistics, and technology.

What is the highest paying space job?

In mission operations, senior roles such as Mission Director or Program Manager tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions require extensive experience, leadership skills, and often certifications in project management or aerospace systems.

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:
What job categories do people searching Mission Operations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Mission Operations jobs are:
Mission Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mission Operations job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,222 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Mission Operations Engineer

E-Space

Saratoga, CA

$76K - $103K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago

Job description

Ready to make connectivity from space universally accessible, secure and actionable? Then you've come to the right place!

E-Space is bridging Earth and space to enable hyper-scaled deployments of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and services. We are building a highly-advanced low Earth orbit (LEO) space system that will fundamentally change the design, economics, manufacturing and service delivery associated with traditional satellite and terrestrial IoT systems.

We're intentional, we're unapologetically curious and we're 100% committed to innovate space-based communications and deliver actionable intelligence that will expand global economies, protect space and our planet and enhance our overall quality of life.

What is the role?
The Mission Operations Engineer will lead the testing effort for the Mission Ops program working onsite in our Saratoga, CA office location.  
 
The ideal candidate has experience as an individual contributor with quality assurance engineering, test engineering, automation of testing tasks as well as leading testing of one or more products or areas of a product.
  
What you will be doing:
  • Be a hands on leader for the Test and Integration team
  • Read, comprehend and ensure that product requirements are reviewed and understood
  • Write test plans and test cases for their designated area ensuring that all requirements are covered in their test planning for traceability
  • Be responsible for creating a Requirements Traceability Matrix for Mission Ops software
  • Perform testing in a lab environment, document all aspects of the lab environment prior to deployment in the satellite, ground systems and devices environments and before commercial launch in a commercial environment
  • Create test suites for build acceptance testing, regression testing and automation test suites
  • Create test automation for mission ops software using Python
  • Verify and validate all product releases, including a full understanding of the proper system performance tools and KPI data that can be used to troubleshoot issues
  • Identify, isolate, reproduce and write bug reports in a clear, concise manner
  • Provide final sign off for the Mission Ops Software
What you bring to this role:
  • At least 5 years in system performance and/or quality assurance engineering and/or network operations for a mobile or satellite operator or infrastructure or devices manufacturer
  • At least 3 years' experience leading groups, projects and teams in a quality assurance role
  • Demonstrated working knowledge of automation, specifically the ability to develop automation and an automated regression test suite and testing tools
  • Hands on experience with automating testing, leading test teams and test projects and providing status
  • Experience with multiple LEO satellite programs and satellite Systems Engineering Integration and Test and Launch and Initialization (L&I) activities
  • Experience with Agile / Scrum development
  • Experience with test automation creation / test case management systems
  • Expertise with Python, C++ for testing and automation, MPL and scripting
  • Familiarity with Linux and Windows Operating Systems, AWS Cloud Experience, CI/CD Pipeline
  • Experience with Jira / Confluence / Grafana / Control Systems
Extra bonus points for the following:
  • Bachelor's / Master's degree in Computer Engineering/CS/EE/Mechanical/Physics/Aerospace plus 7 years' hands on experience
  • Experience working in a fast-paced startup environment with short development times
  • Proven success as a leader with excellent communication skills
$0 - $0 a year

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. 
 
The estimated base salary range for this role is $120,000-200,000 per 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.
 
 #LI-Onsite

Why E-Space is right for you:

As a member of our team, you will play a crucial role in driving our success.  Our team members have a strong sense of dedication and responsibility; this includes a strong commitment to our mission to create an entirely new suite of global capabilities to improve lives, business efficiencies and build a smarter planet. This means that there will be times when extra hours, including nights and weekends, may be needed to meet critical deadlines and mission goals.  In return, we offer a dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth and development and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-growth industry.  

We want you to make the most of your journey at E-Space. That's why we support and invest in the physical, emotional and financial well-being of our team members and their families. Some of what you can expect when working at E-Space:

An opportunity to really make a difference
Sustainability at our core
Fair and honest workplace
Innovative thinking is encouraged
Competitive salaries
Continuous learning and development
Health and wellness care options
Financial solutions for the future
Optional legal services (US only)
Paid holidays
Paid time off

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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