Ground Software & Systems Manager - Mission Operations (0346U), Space Sciences Laboratory - #87786

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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 Mission Operations Team at the Space Sciences Lab operates multiple NASA science spacecraft and is funded to operate additional ones through this decade and beyond. This position serves as the Ground Software & Systems Manager and leads the team that manages all hardware and software in the mission operations system used to communicate with spacecraft. The Ground Software & Systems Manager – Mission Operations oversees interactions with various government and commercial ground station providers, the Berkeley Ground Station, and NASA's TDRSS and Deep Space Network.

This position ensures the laboratory remains at the bleeding edge of technology and leads junior engineers in executing ambitious science goals.

The First Review Date for this job is:
August 18, 2026. This position will remain open until filled.

• Ultimately responsible for maintaining both the hardware and software that connect the Berkeley Mission Operations Center to third‑party ground station networks around the world.
• Supervises and maintains the Berkeley Ground Station facility (hardware and software).

• Performs the most complex and advanced software programming in the Mission Operations System at the Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL).
• Develops custom code unique to the SSL, or code that integrates SSL software tools with commercial or government‑furnished tools.
• Oversees two‑way encryption with space assets.

• Designs, develops, modifies, and evaluates software and supporting hardware for functional areas that are highly complex and have a broad, mission‑wide impact.
• Helps maintain and evolve the multi‑mission Mission Operations Center at SSL and the Backup Mission Operations Center on the main campus.

• Supports the flight mission's Program Manager, Systems Engineer, and Mission Operations leads at meetings with NASA and subcontractors as the lead presenter.
• Travels to troubleshoot hardware and software systems as required.

• Supports all NASA reviews and ongoing meetings with spacecraft partners (across all missions) as the subject matter expert on Mission Operations System ground systems.
• Responsible for supervising at least 2 FTE, including professional engineers, technicians, and students.

• Works with spacecraft management to meet technical requirements within schedule and budget.
• Re…