Flight Operations Engineer in Reading

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites.

Your Role

Establish and own NewOrbit's mission operations capability from the start, defining how our spacecraft are commanded, monitored, and operated from the ground. You will lead the setting up of mission control, define spacecraft-ground and ground-station interfaces, develop real-time flight operations concepts, and support LEOP, commissioning, manoeuvres, nominal operations, and anomaly response alongside Mission Design and Communications.

Mission Operations Ownership

Lead the development of NewOrbit's mission operations concept from an early phase, defining operational workflows, responsibilities, flight rules, procedures, and escalation paths. Act as the responsible engineer for spacecraft operations, ensuring the spacecraft, mission control system, ground stations, and engineering teams are aligned for flight.

Mission Control Centre Setup

Define the requirements for NewOrbit's mission control centre, including mission control software, telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, operational dashboards, and access control. Support the selection, configuration, and validation of tools required for real-time spacecraft operations.

Spacecraft-to-Ground Interfaces

Define and manage the operational interfaces between the spacecraft and ground segment, including telemetry, telecommand, command verification, event reporting, time correlation, file transfer, and mission data routing. Work with Flight Software and subsystem teams to maintain command dictionaries, telemetry databases, packet definitions, limits, and operational constraints.

Ground Station Operations

Work with the Communications team to define interfaces with external ground station providers, including pass scheduling, uplink and downlink operations, RF link monitoring, data delivery, and anomaly escalation. Develop operational approaches for short VLEO passes, missed contacts, changing visibility, and rapid orbit updates.

Real-Time Flight Operations

Develop the operational concept for LEOP, commissioning, routine operations, orbit lowering, manoeuvre execution, payload operations, safe mode recovery, and end-of-life activities. Prepare pass plans, command sequences, operational timelines, and procedures while accounting for spacecraft subsystem and mission design constraints.

Procedures, Validation, and Readiness

Write, validate, and maintain operating procedures, contingency procedures, flight rules, console procedures, and operations documentation. Support end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing, mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, ground station interface tests, and commissioning preparation.

Fundamental Requirements:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred.
• Industry Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in spacecraft operations or as a spacecraft controller or similar. Previous experience as a spacecraft controller during LEOP, commissioning and safe-mode recovery is highly relevant.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of real-time flight operations, including pass preparation, telemetry monitoring, telecommand execution, command verification, anomaly response, and post-pass analysis. Familiarity with CCSDS telemetry/telecommand standards, ECSS Packet Utilisation Standard, file transfer protocols, and time correlation is highly desirable.
• Mission Control Software: Experience with mission control system environments such as SCOS-2000, EGS-CC, Yamcs, OpenC3 COSMOS, or similar platforms is desirable. Ability to define operational needs for telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, dashboards, and operator workflows.
• Programming Ability: Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for telemetry analysis, automation, reporting, validation, and operational tooling. Familiarity with Linux, Git, databases, APIs, network interfaces, or operational dashboards is desirable.
• Simulation and Testing: Experience supporting mission rehearsals, operational validation, flight software interface testing, procedure validation, and end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing. Ability to help prepare mission control systems, ground station interfaces, operational procedures, and teams for launch and commissioning.

Why NewOrbit Space?

• Pioneering Space Technology: You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations.
• Unmatched Ownership and Impact: You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology.
• Equity and Competitive Salary: You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc.
• Hybrid Work: A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week.
• Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support: We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you're joining us from abroad.