Spacecraft Operations Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Mission Context

LV8D Solutions supports national security space and intelligence customers delivering next-generation sensing and exploitation capabilities. The Spacecraft Operations and Systems Integration Engineer supports the operational readiness, integration, sustainment, and performance of space-based systems throughout their lifecycle. This position serves as a critical interface between spacecraft operations teams, system developers, and factory engineering organizations to ensure capabilities are successfully integrated into operations and mission objectives are achieved.

Position Overview

LV8D is seeking a Spacecraft Operations and Systems Integration Engineer to support anomaly management, operational integration activities, system performance monitoring, and mission readiness initiatives. This engineer will leverage operational data to develop performance metrics, create actionable dashboards, and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness. The role requires strong technical acumen, collaboration skills, and the ability to challenge conventional approaches to deliver innovative solutions that advance mission success.

Interested candidates need to thrive in an innovative, fast-paced environment; are highly motivated and not afraid to take on uncharted territory; possess strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills; and be able to prioritize their time to be effective in a dynamic environment.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Support spacecraft operations and system integration activities to ensure mission capabilities are effectively transitioned from development into operational environments.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance algorithms, performance metrics, and operational dashboards that provide actionable insights into system health, mission performance, and operational readiness.
• Monitor, track, and manage anomaly and outage escalation processes ensuring timely coordination, resolution, and communication among stakeholders.
• Provide technical support for spacecraft anomalies, operational investigations, root cause analysis efforts, and corrective action implementation.
• Coordinate factory testing, system verification activities, and capability demonstrations to support operational acceptance and deployment.
• Facilitate integration of new capabilities, software updates, and system enhancements into operational environments while minimizing mission risk.
• Develop and maintain weekly operational metrics, performance assessments, trend analyses, and executive-level reporting products.
• Lead working groups to coordinate technical discussions, resolve operational challenges, and drive integration activities across organizations.
• Participate in on-call rotations and provide operational support during critical mission events, anomalies, and outages.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with operators, and engineering teams.
• Serve as a liaison between operational organizations and factory engineering teams to ensure effective communication, issue resolution, and capability transition.
• Identify process improvements, automation opportunities, and innovative approaches that enhance operational performance, mission resiliency, and engineering efficiency.
• Challenge existing processes and technical assumptions to develop creative solutions that improve mission outcomes and accelerate operational effectiveness.
• Support operational readiness reviews, mission planning activities, risk assessments, and system integration efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 9+ years of experience supporting spacecraft operations, systems integration, mission operations, satellite systems, or related aerospace and defense programs.
• Experience supporting operational environments involving spacecraft systems, ground systems, mission planning systems, or command-and-control architectures.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing operational data and developing metrics, dashboards, or performance reporting tools.
• Experience supporting anomaly management, outage response, troubleshooting, and technical investigations.
• Knowledge of systems engineering principles, integration and test processes, and operational readiness activities.
• Ability to effectively coordinate across engineering, operations, and development organizations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience facilitating technical discussions and working groups.
• Willingness to participate in on-call operational support rotations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with spacecraft telemetry, command and control systems, mission planning systems, and operational ground architectures.
• Experience developing data analytics solutions, operational dashboards, or automated reporting capabilities.
• Knowledge of anomaly resolution processes, mission assurance principles, and operational risk management.
• Experience coordinating factory acceptance testing, system verification activities, and operational capability transitions.
• Experience leading technical working groups or cross-functional engineering teams.

Security Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship
• Active Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance
• Active Counterintelligence (CI) or Full Scope (FS) Polygraph

Work Environment

• On-site work in a government or contractor facility
• Occasional travel (up to 10%)

About LV8D Solutions

LV8D Solutions is an elite Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) company that delivers advanced systems engineering, integration, acquisition, mission operations, network communications, and cybersecurity support to our defense and intelligence customers. Founded in 2019, we apply our deep technical expertise, understanding, and mission-first mindset to design, acquire, and implement complex, high-impact solutions for our Intelligence Community (IC) and Department of War (DoW) customers. We specialize in every aspect of our customers’ space and ground mission systems while offering exceptional work-life balance and an exemplary compensation and total rewards package designed to recruit, train, and retain top talent and committed to national defense and career growth.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

LV8D Solutions LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other protected categories.

Benefits

Performance & Recognition

Period of Performance (PoP) Bonus Opportunities
Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to contract or organizational performance.

Retention Incentive Benefit Bounty
Receive a payout for unused annual company contributions designated for health insurance premiums and professional training.

Referral Bonus
Earn up to $5,000 for each successful employee referral.

Customer Recognition Letter of Appreciation (LoA) Bonus Opportunities
Bonus opportunities based on customer recognition received through Letters of Appreciation.

Milestone Rewards
Celebrate your career achievements with anniversary awards on your 1st, 5th, 10th, and 20th years of service.

Financial & Retirement Benefits

Profit Sharing
Receive an annual contribution equal to 4% of your W-2 gross earnings into your 401 (k), with immediate vesting.

401(k) Company Match
The company matches your 401 (k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to 6% of your monthly contribution, with immediate vesting.

Career Development

The company invests in your professional growth through:

• Annual financial support for professional training and industry certifications.
• Enhanced financial support for employees actively pursuing a degree at an accredited institution.

Work-Life Balance

Support for a healthy work-life balance includes:

• Flexible work hours
• Competitive paid time off (PTO)
• Company holidays

Health & Wellness Benefits

The company offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support you and your family.

Medical Coverage

Three comprehensive Medical/Rx insurance plan options to meet the unique and individualized benefit needs of our employees

Dental & Vision

• Comprehensive dental insurance for employees and eligible dependents.
• Comprehensive vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents.

Income Protection

• 100% Company-Paid Short-Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Company-Paid Long-Term Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

• 100% Company-Paid Basic Term Life Insurance with Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.
• Optional employee-paid Supplemental Voluntary Life Insurance.