Mission Operations Lead

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Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium’s network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that encourages employees to think outside the box and collaborate on bold ideas and solutions.

If you have 12+ years of experience in satellite mission management, you will be excited about the Mission Operations Lead opening with Iridium in support of a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As the Mission Operations Lead, you’ll maintain enterprise-level situational awareness of the constellation and ensure mission objectives drive operational priorities across locations. You will focus on integrating new satellites, payloads, and capabilities into existing operations and aligning constellation growth with long-term mission success.

You should be able to anticipate operational needs, collaborate across technical and leadership teams, and translate mission priorities into effective operational plans and readiness. This position requires an active/current Top-Secret/SCI Security Clearance (a U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

• Serve as the mission’s operational focal point, integrating data, insights, and feedback from Operations, Engineering, Mission Planning, and stakeholders to maintain a clear understanding of constellation health, performance, and readiness
• Maintain continuous situational awareness of all satellites, payloads, and ground systems, ensuring mission priorities drive operational decision-making
• Translate mission objectives into operational directives, ensuring teams have the resources, processes, and readiness to meet evolving capability needs
• Collaborate with senior leadership to plan for constellation growth — incorporating new satellites, payloads, and mission capabilities into operational roadmaps
• Lead operational readiness reviews for new capabilities, assessing mission impact and ensuring seamless integration with existing assets
• Partner with cross-functional teams to synchronize mission execution across all locations
• Establish and maintain processes, procedures, and checklists that align operational execution with mission success criteria
• Support lifecycle sustainment planning for enterprise and mission services to ensure long-term capability availability
• Participate in technical exchange meetings, stakeholder forums, and working groups to represent mission needs and advocate for operational requirements
• Support 24/7 on-call escalation for mission-impacting issues, coordinating resolution with the appropriate teams
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and selection of mission and operations personnel for the SDA Operation Centers

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical discipline OR equivalent training and experience in lieu of degree
• 12+ years of relevant experience managing/operating ground station operations centers or equivalent mission management experience
• Proven ability to connect operational actions to overarching mission goals and priorities
• Effective Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently
• Strategic thinker with good judgment and decisiveness
• Ability to analyze a situation or problem and develop effective solutions
• Ability to form relationships with executive leadership and encourage cross-functional team building
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks to meet deadlines and budget limitations
• Proactive in finding new and enhanced ways of doing things and sharing knowledge with others

• Extensive knowledge of satellite or ground operations
• Military/government experience in satellite and/or ground operations

• Support occasional travel (less than 25% of the time)
• Be a U.S. Citizen

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the role involving a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

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