Senior Mission/Satellite Operations Development Engineer

At ClearSpace, we believe in reusability, in affordability driving disruption, and that no progress is real unless it is sustainable.

Our company was founded in 2018 out of the realization that in-orbit servicing and space debris removal are vital services for the future of space exploration and operations. Today ClearSpace has assembled an expert engineering team and is leading the way toward sustainable space operations. From a garage in Switzerland, we now operate across UK and Europe, and are working with world-leading institutions and companies to bring our dream of a sustainable space ecosystem to life.

The Role
We are seeking a Senior Mission / Satellite Operations Development Engineer to lead the design and development of satellite operations for our mission. This role will be instrumental in building world‑class satellite operations capabilities and shaping a high‑performing operations team from development through launch and on‑orbit execution.

Role Responsibilities

Operations Design & Development

• Lead the end‑to‑end design of satellite operations in alignment with the overall satellite system development plan, including schedule, system architecture, and product requirements.
• Develop comprehensive operations concepts, plans, procedures, and rules based on mission concept and system design documentation.
• Define operational requirements for both satellite and ground systems in close collaboration with the Ground Segment team lead.
• Design and develop tools required to support operations planning, preparation, and execution.
• Formulate verification and validation plans for operational procedures and concepts.

Cross‑Functional Coordination

• Act as the primary operations interface with system engineers, ground system engineers, customers, and other stakeholders.
• Gather technical and programmatic inputs from stakeholders and incorporate them into robust, executable operations designs.
• Prepare and support internal and external reviews related to mission and operations readiness.
• Review and support contract scope, deliverables, and technical details with external suppliers and subcontractors from an operations perspective.

Operations Readiness & Execution

• Plan, prepare, and lead training programmes and operational rehearsals for flight and ground operations personnel.
• Lead the execution of satellite operations following launch, coordinating closely with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain post‑launch operational plans, including pass scheduling, pass assignments, and per‑pass activity definitions.
• Participate directly in on‑orbit operations as a member of the operations shift team.

Leadership & Team Building

• Organise, mentor, and lead the team responsible for mission and satellite operations development and execution.
• Establish best practices, processes, and standards to support scalable and reliable satellite operations.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Degree Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related discipline. Or re
• More than 6+ years of practical experience in satellite or spacecraft operations or development.
• Practical experience in satellite operation design and planning.
• Demonstrated technical understanding of: spacecraft design, spacecraft launch and on-orbit operations, spacecraft guidance, navigation and control.
• Experience in creating operational documents (such as operation handbooks, plans, and procedures).
• Practical knowledge of ground systems for satellite operations.
• Ability to identify problems, analyze causes, and implement solutions.
• Strong communication skills suitable for teamwork
• Proficiency in automating, deploying, and supporting large-scale infrastructure
• Proficiency programming with at least one modern language such as Python, Ruby, Golang, Java, C++, C#, Rust
• Proficiency with Linux/Unix
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines build processes