About this job

You will be joining the Open Cosmos’ Mission Operations team in Harwell-Oxford (UK) and be responsible for preparing and executing flight operations of the Open Cosmos growing spacecraft fleet. In addition to these core responsibilities, you will provide support to the satellite and mission control software development teams by bringing your operational expertise. This is a unique opportunity to take part in all the stages of a space mission from its early conception to its final decommissioning.

You will be ready to support flight operations following a rotational on-call service to quickly respond or prevent operational anomalies at any time. Anomaly situations may lead to severe consequences for Open Cosmos and its customers. Hence, during post-launch operations, you are expected to strictly follow operational procedures and report when appropriate to escalate emergencies.

As part of the nature of mission operations, you may be required to work occasionally in a shift pattern with other members of the Mission Operations team to support flight operations (especially when tackling Launch and Early Orbit, Commissioning or Decommissioning activities).

Responsibilities

Execution of flight operations

• Planning, scheduling, execution and reporting of real-time nominal and contingency operations of the Open Cosmos space missions
• Trend analysis of incoming data from different mission entities
• Testing, simulation and validation of planned operations
• Investigation and analysis of problems
• Generation of anomaly isolation and recovery strategies

Development of the Open Cosmos Mission Control Centre function

• Contribution to operational documentation (Flight Operational Handbook, Mission Operations Plan, Commissioning and Decommissioning Plans, etc)
• Preparation of payload operations support (PL CONOPS, Payload procedures, Commissioning procedures, etc)
• Generation of training documentation in coordination with beeSat and beeApp development teams
• Training for flight operations

Support to beeSat’s development team

• Technical support to the beeSat design team by providing operational analyses and feedback on beeSat iterations during the development processes
• Contribution to the development of mission CONOPS

Support to beeApp’s development team

• Technical support to the Open Cosmos Mission Control System (MCS).
• Preparation of MCS operations for the new MCS versions (Contribution to the Flight Operational Handbook, Mission Operations Plan, etc)

Support to beeOrbital’s manufacturing team

• Execution of beeSat’s Mission Test Campaigns and analysis of results

Profile

Skills, attitude and experience

• +3 experience in spacecraft operations either executing pre-launch or post-launch activities (preferably for Cubesat missions)
• Demonstrated solid systems engineering knowledge (ideally applied to systems involved in space missions)
• Deep understanding of satellite subsystems
• Knowledge of orbital mechanics
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) in English
• Ability to cope with pressure while delivering at the highest performance and quality
• Quick learner
• Ready to work for some periods of time under a 24/7 shift rota
• Ready to be in a 24/7 on-call service to assist contingency operations
• Self-driven attitude with problem solving mentality

Nice to have

• Have demonstrable experience over all the phases of the lifecycle of a space mission
• Familiarity with ECSS standards related to Ground Systems and Operations
• Familiarity with CCSDS TC and TM Synchronisation and Coding standards
• Experience in spacecraft end-to-end testing campaigns
• Deep understanding of network and telecommunications engineering
• Deep understanding of ground station operations
• Experience in software development following Agile methodologies (SCRUM, KANBAN, etc)

You will enjoy

• Working with a team of people to build the future of a new space industry
• Working at one of the world’s leading space campuses
• 25 days holidays + 8 bank holidays
• Attractive Pension Scheme & Immediate enrollment
• Healthy snacks and pick’n’mix sweets at the office
• Social clubs organised by the team – so far we’ve got Run Club, Paella Club, ice-skating Club and Thirsty Club – suggest something new?
• Remote working as per company policy
• Working from home as per company policy
• Annual Salary Review