An opportunity has arisen for an experienced satellite operations leader to take full ownership of a next-generation Mission Operations Centre supporting a large-scale LEO satellite constellation programme.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing and scaling mission operations capability, including the Mission Operations Centre, fleet management platform, and on-orbit commissioning function for a rapidly expanding satellite network. You will play a central role in defining operational strategy and ensuring safe, efficient, and resilient constellation operations.
Role Purpose
You will lead the end-to-end operational capability for a complex LEO constellation, covering spacecraft commissioning, fleet health management, mission control systems, and conjunction assessment processes. The role requires strong technical leadership combined with the ability to build scalable operational processes for long-term 24/7 service delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, build, and operation of the Mission Operations Centre and associated fleet management systems
- Select, implement, and integrate mission control systems and operational software platforms
- Oversee integration between mission operations, network control, and wider ground segment infrastructure
- Define and implement Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and conjunction assessment processes
- Lead on-orbit commissioning activities, including spacecraft health checks, payload activation, inter-satellite link commissioning, and end-to-end operational verification
- Develop and maintain redundancy, resilience, and disaster recovery strategies for mission-critical systems
- Coordinate with external partners, suppliers, and operational stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery
- Support transition planning towards fully scalable 24/7 constellation operations
Essential Skills & Experience
- 12+ years’ experience in satellite operations, mission operations, or spacecraft fleet management
- Strong background in LEO constellation operations and on-orbit commissioning activities
- Hands-on experience with mission control or mission management systems
- Solid understanding of SSA/SDA workflows, conjunction assessment, and collision avoidance processes
- Proven experience leading complex operational programmes across multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Strong stakeholder management and decision-making skills in operational environments
- Degree or postgraduate qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline
Desirable Experience
- Experience scaling operations for large or growing satellite constellations
- Knowledge of ground segment integration, network operations, or telecoms infrastructure
- Experience designing or operating high-availability systems and disaster recovery frameworks
- Familiarity with international regulatory, safety, or operational frameworks in the space sector
What’s on Offer
- Leadership role shaping operations for a next-generation satellite constellation programme
- Significant ownership across mission operations, commissioning, and fleet management
- Long-term career development within a rapidly scaling space organisation
- Collaborative international environment working across engineering and operations teams
