Mission Operations Engineer , Space Sciences Laboratory

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The Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL) is an Organized Research Unit (ORU) of the Berkeley campus reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research. SSL's primary goal is to foster research in space‑related sciences and to provide education for the next generation of space scientists. Research at SSL, led by Berkeley faculty and SSL Senior Fellows, focuses on experiments and observations carried out in space as well as theoretical and basic research.

The applicant would work at the Space Science Laboratory (SSL) as a member of the Mission Operations Center (MOC) team. The Mission Operations Engineer will provide both support and leadership for our existing NASA missions, and especially those still in development, but slated for launch (e.g., COSI and UVEX missions). This position involves work as both an aerospace systems engineer and mission operator.

The applicant will be responsible for leading mission operations verification and validation (V&V) activities on multiple NASA science missions that are led and operated by UC Berkeley. The individual will provide direction to Space Sciences Lab (SSL) staff, and will also interact with NASA and the various spacecraft bus vendors we work with. The person hired will work inside our Mission Operations Center, helping to operate our 9 existing spacecrafts, as well as the new ones launched this year.

SSL currently operates satellites near Earth and around the Moon and is preparing two satellites that we will be operating around Mars. This is an exciting position with lots of immediate, "hands‑on" work in a flat organization.

The First Review Date for this job is:
December 30, 2025. For full consideration, please apply on or before January 5, 2026.

This position will remain open until filled.

• Plans, coordinates, assists-in, or executes verification and validation (V&V) activities for mission operations deliverables for spaceflight missions in active development.
• Develops operations procedures and tools for spaceflight missions (both for ground testing and on orbit); serves as spacecraft controller.
• Supervises or coordinates personnel involved in Integration and Testing of a spacecraft in development.
• Monitor real‑time spacecraft telemetry and uplink commands and table loads to active spacecraft.
• Generate and verify spacecraft activity sequence tables and perform contact scheduling.
• Address and help resolve spacecraft anomalies that present themselves during active missions.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% as needed for work events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• At least 1 year of experience planning verification and validation activities on a previous spaceflight mission or relevant program.
• At least 1 year of experience conducting, and submitting for acceptance, some requirement verification activities (e.g., Test, Demonstration, Inspection or Analysis) on a spaceflight or relevant program.
• Working systems knowledge of typical spacecraft/satellites.
• Must be able to travel up to 10% as needed for work events.
• Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.

• Previous experience performing some systems engineering duties on a NASA mission.
• Previous experience is in spacecraft mission operations (e.g. controller, operator, back‑room support, ground network support).
• Previous experience helping to author a Verification and Validation (V&V) Plan for a successful spaceflight mission (or a specific sub‑system of a mission).
• Experience with RF or spacecraft ground systems.
• Must be able to qualify for access to…