Satellite Operations Engineer

Company: Capella Space (an IonQ company)
Location: Louisville, CO (Hybrid option available)
Travel: Up to 5%
Job ID: 571
Compensation: $145,920 - $185,000 base salary

About Capella

Capella, an IonQ company, operates at the intersection of national security, advanced sensing, and next-generation compute to deliver secure, mission-ready intelligence. Our culture is built on collaboration, rigorous engineering, and a shared commitment to strengthening global stability and security. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and value curiosity, resilience, and the ability to tackle hard problems.

The Role

Capella is seeking a Satellite Operations Engineer to join our dedicated spacecraft operators. In this role, you will own the full operational life-cycle of our SAR constellation, from mission operations design and commissioning campaigns to fleet health maintenance and anomaly response. You will drive the reliability and autonomy of our expanding constellation and support upcoming special projects and demonstrations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the launch and commissioning of new satellites for autonomous operations.
• Perform spacecraft analysis, maintenance, and anomaly response.
• Develop and automate operational procedures and tools.
• Test and deploy satellite software updates.
• Support the execution of special projects and demonstrations.
• Participate in a team rotation for on-call first responder duties for spacecraft anomalies.
• Interface with other teams to develop and maintain a highly autonomous spacecraft operations system.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.
• 4+ years of relevant work experience.
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and automation.
• Familiarity with, and significant experience in at least one of, the following disciplines:
• Astrodynamics
• Guidance, Navigation, and Control
• Electrical Engineering
• Communications Systems
• Thermal Engineering
• Embedded Software
• Propulsion
• Experience with Git or other version control systems.

Soft Skills:

• Strong ability to communicate and collaborate within a team environment.
• Comfortable dealing with unknowns, quantifying risk, addressing uncertainty, and handling the pressure of a real-time operating environment.
• Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Required Qualification:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations (ITAR), employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident, or eligible to obtain required U.S. government authorizations.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Compensation: Approximate base salary range of $145,920 - $185,000. Total compensation includes base salary, bonus, equity, and benefits.
• Benefits/Perks: Extensive medical coverage (including vision and dental), flexible spending accounts, supplemental health options, stock option grants, 401K plan, generous parental leave, paid flexible time off, lifestyle spending account, commuter & parking benefits, mental health resources, monthly phone stipend, daily provided lunches, stocked kitchens, and a dog-friendly work environment with pet insurance options.

Capella Space is an equal opportunity employer, committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace and upholding equitable hiring practices. We actively encourage members of recognized minorities, women, Veterans, and those with disabilities to apply.