Flight Operations Engineer

ABL Space Systems was founded in 2017 by veterans of SpaceX and Morgan Stanley to develop low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite industry. More importantly, we're building a launch system we are truly proud of - no gimmicks or over-design, just reliable, rapidly deployable launches. We're an ambitious team with big goals and, together, we're determined to prove that reaching space can be simple, efficient, and routine.

When launch day arrives, we want you by our side

Flight Operations Engineer

As a Flight Operations Engineer, you will be responsible for the successful completion of each ABL mission once RS1 leaves the Launch Mount. This role begins many weeks prior to launch, coordinating operations with external agencies and partners, from the FAA to federal ranges to customers. You will be responsible for ensuring RS1 has available ground stations around the world throughout critical phases of flight. Flight Operations Engineers will own mission requirements, working across all engineering disciplines to ensure RS1 is prepared to meet the changing mission-by-mission needs. In the lead up to launch, you will own system and mission risk assessment and finally serve in safety- and mission-critical roles to verify a safe launch and successful completion of in-space operations.

We are looking for Flight Operations Engineers who are generalists, with a can-do attitude interested in solving multi-disciplinary problems with an ever-evolving functional scope. Flight Ops will directly contribute to ABL's goal for expansion to global and responsive launch services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage relationships with regulatory and range officials, delivering Flight Readiness Reviews and coordinating launch campaigns.
• Perform the role of Safety Official for launch operations as a final go/no go to launch.
• Own mission requirements, working across engineering disciplines to ensure RS1 will achieve mission objectives.
• Develop processes, procedures, and tools to pioneer ABL's in-space operations.
• Evaluate strategies for increasing flight cadence and capability, through ownership of initiatives such as deployable ground stations, AFTS, and mission design.
• Support the Launch Chief Engineer function to assess and mitigate flight risk.
• Ability to travel to support meetings, test campaigns, and launch campaigns.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.S. in any engineering discipline from an accredited university
• 2+ years prior experience working with launch sites, executing launch operations, and/or designing launch vehicles.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with military and commercial ranges, FAA AST, ATC, USCG
• Ability to build long and trusting relationships with all personnel and agencies
• Possess the ability to communicate with all levels of personnel and leadership
• Experience in developing and executing operational processes and systems for highly integrated technologies
• Demonstrated leadership of or within a small project team either in current role or during project based team in school
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

• Critical thinking: ABL engineers understand the "why" behind all design decisions, operational events and test outcomes
• Ability to deal with ambiguity: ABL engineers must be comfortable defining their own pathway to an objective
• End-to end ownership: projects are delivered fully complete and ready for flight

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENTS:

• Ability to use a computer to complete assignments
• Ability to communicate with individuals and groups in person, by phone and telepresence
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will typically work in an office environment

The salary range for this role is $90,000-$130,000. This is the lowest to highest salary we reasonably and in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range, and the range may be modified in the future. An employee's pay position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) to eligible employees.

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information protected under US export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations. As such, US person status (including US citizens, permanent residents, asylees, and refugees) is a required qualification for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work and access export-controlled data) and will not be discriminated against on the basis of such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We encourage applicants of all ages.