Principal Mission Operations Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 18, 2026. First seen by Alion on Aug 19, 2026. Reflect Orbital scores A on the Alion truth index.
At Reflect, you will be expected to move fast, have a lot of ownership and, most importantly, be able to effect change. If this excites you, we are interested in hearing about your best work and accomplishments across any domain and from any points in your life.
About the Role
As a Principal Mission Operations Engineer, you'll set the direction for how we operate spacecraft as the fleet grows: the operations concept, flight rules, fault management approach, and the automation roadmap that takes us from a few satellites to a constellation. You'll lead operations for our most critical activities and help build the team around you.
This is a hands-on role on a small team. You'll spend time on console, write procedures, and work anomalies yourself, while setting the operational standards the rest of the team builds on.
Responsibilities
Define the operations concept for the constellation, including shift models, automation strategy, operations center design, and ground network utilization
Develop and maintain the operational framework: flight rules, command authority, go/no-go processes, anomaly response, and readiness review standards
Lead operations for launches, LEOP, commissioning, and other critical mission phases
Define the fault management and onboard FDIR philosophy with flight software
Work with ground software to define the automation, mission planning, and fleet management capabilities operations needs
Lead high-severity anomaly investigations and the corrective actions that follow
Plan and lead operational readiness activities, including simulations, dress rehearsals, and operator training and certification
Mentor operations engineers and support hiring as the team grows
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related STEM field
10+ years of experience in satellite mission operations or a related field
Experience leading operations for critical mission events (launch, LEOP, commissioning, or major anomalies)
Experience scaling operations, whether growing a team, a fleet, or an automation capability
Solid understanding of spacecraft systems and subsystem interactions
Proficiency with mission control software (e.g. OpenC3 COSMOS, L3Harris InControl, or similar)
Strong programming and scripting skills (Python, C++ preferred)
Experience with DevOps tools and practices (Git, Docker, CI/CD)
Clear written and verbal communication skills
Sound judgment and composure in real-time, high-pressure operational environments
Experience operating multi-satellite constellations or fleets is a plus
Experience standing up a mission operations center or operations processes from scratch is a plus
Even if you don’t meet 100% of the above qualifications, we are likely still interested in hearing from you. Hiring exceptional individuals is our #1 priority, and we believe that exceptional people often have highly unusual backgrounds.
We are also interested in carving out unique roles for unconventional people that we are excited about working with.
Benefits
Reflect Orbital’s success will hinge on our team, which is why our compensation and benefits plan is designed to reward our employees and support their families as generously as we’re able.
Broad choice of medical/dental/vision coverage, Reflect covers 100% of each base-policy
Access to HSA, FSA, and 401K
Unlimited paid time off
Healthy lunches provided daily
Equal Opportunity
Reflect Orbital is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Reflect Orbital is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
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