Mission Operations

About the Role
An international engineering and advanced technology company operating in the space sector is seeking a Mission Operations (MOPS) Automation Software Development Engineer to develop, automate, and maintain the mission operations processes, software tools, and procedures required for reliable satellite constellation operations. This position combines mission operations engineering, software development, and operational automation , with a particular focus on developing satellite command procedures, scripting automated workflows, and building scalable tools to support spacecraft operations. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, integration, and continuous improvement of Satellite Operations Center (SOC) systems, developing software solutions that improve operational efficiency, reliability, and automation throughout the satellite lifecycle. The role involves close collaboration with systems engineering, flight software, ground software, mission operations teams, and external technology partners. This is a 100% on-site position based in Barcelona .

Key Responsibilities
Mission Operations Engineering & Automation
- Develop and continuously improve mission operations processes and Concepts of Operations (ConOps) across different mission phases, including Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), commissioning, and routine satellite operations.
- Contribute to the design, integration, and evolution of Satellite Operations Center (SOC) systems, focusing on automation, operational efficiency, and scalability.
- Perform technical evaluations and trade studies of SOC software tools, operational architectures, and automation solutions.
- Configure, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot SOC software tools and operational environments.
- Develop, test, validate, and maintain satellite operations procedures, command sequences, and automated operational workflows.
- Script and automate satellite command and control procedures using Python or similar scripting languages .
- Develop telemetry validation logic, expected response checks, and automated verification mechanisms.
- Improve operational procedures based on satellite performance, operational feedback, and lessons learned. Software Development & Operational Tooling
- Design, develop, test, and maintain custom software tools and automation scripts supporting satellite mission operations.
- Develop lightweight applications and utilities for satellite monitoring, operational analysis, and command execution.
- Build and enhance operator interfaces, monitoring dashboards, and data visualisation tools to improve situational awareness.
- Integrate mission operations tools with internal and external systems through APIs and software interfaces .
- Support the development and maintenance of reliable, scalable software solutions for satellite constellation operations.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of operational automation, software reliability, and system performance. System Integration, Testing & Mission Readiness
- Support system-level integration testing and end-to-end validation between the Satellite Operations Center and spacecraft systems during ground testing.
- Participate in mission readiness activities, including operational testing, simulations, rehearsals, and dry runs.
- Support satellite operations during LEOP, commissioning, and other critical on-orbit activities .
- Contribute to the development and validation of operational procedures and mission-critical software tools.
- Support requirements definition, architecture reviews, design reviews, readiness reviews, and programme milestones.
- Collaborate with systems engineers, flight software engineers, ground software teams, and external vendors to develop operational solutions.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to mission operations team members. Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering , or another relevant STEM discipline.
- 2–5+ years of relevant professional experience in mission operations, software development, automation engineering, or related technical roles.
- Practical experience developing scripts, automation workflows, or operational procedures using Python or similar programming languages .
- Familiarity with satellite command and control systems and mission operations workflows.
- Experience working in Windows-based software development and operational environments .
- Experience working with applications deployed in AWS or other cloud environments .
- Familiarity with Git or other version control systems .
- Familiarity with Jira, Confluence , or similar collaboration and documentation tools.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to adapt to evolving technical requirements and operational priorities.
- Availability to work 100% on-site in Barcelona.
- Availability to support occasional rotating shifts during LEOP and other critical satellite operations. Particularly Valued Experience
- Previous experience in satellite mission operations, spacecraft operations, or ground segment engineering .
- Experience working with multi-satellite Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations .
- Experience developing, implementing, or operating automated mission operations systems.
- Knowledge of distributed systems, networking protocols, and API-based software integrations .
- Experience developing telemetry displays, monitoring dashboards, operator interfaces, or visualisation tools .
- Basic experience with databases, data storage, or persistence mechanisms for operational software tools.
- Systems engineering experience, including requirements management, system architecture, integration, and testing.
- Experience supporting mission simulations, operational rehearsals, spacecraft commissioning, or critical on-orbit activities.
- Experience in aerospace, satellite communications, defence, telecommunications, or other mission-critical technology environments. Technical Skills & Technology Stack
- Programming & Automation: Python, scripting languages, automated operational workflows.
- Satellite Operations: SOC systems, satellite command and control, mission procedures, telemetry validation.
- Development Environment: Windows-based development and operations.
- Cloud Platforms: AWS or similar cloud environments.
- Version Control: Git or equivalent tools.
- Collaboration Tools: Jira, Confluence.
- Software Integration: APIs, distributed systems, networking protocols.
- Monitoring & Visualisation: Telemetry dashboards, operator interfaces, monitoring and analysis tools. Professional Profile We are looking for a proactive, technically versatile engineer who combines strong software development capabilities with an operational mindset and a genuine interest in satellite mission operations. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Autonomy, initiative, and ownership of technical responsibilities.
- Ability to develop reliable solutions in complex operational environments.
- Adaptability to changing system requirements and technical priorities.
- Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and during critical operational activities.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills within international, distributed, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Attention to detail and commitment to operational reliability.
- A continuous improvement mindset with a strong focus on automation and efficiency.
- Willingness to share knowledge and support the technical development of other team members. What the Position Offers
- Opportunity to join an international engineering and advanced technology organisation.
- Direct involvement in the development and automation of satellite mission operations systems.
- Exposure to advanced satellite communications technologies and constellation operations.
- Opportunity to develop software tools and operational automation solutions used in real satellite missions.
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering teams across software, systems engineering, and satellite operations.
- Participation in mission readiness, satellite commissioning, and operational improvement activities.
- Professional development in mission operations engineering, software automation, and advanced space technologies. Location & Working Conditions
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Location:
Barcelona, Spain.
- Work Model: 100% on-site.
- Work within a collaborative engineering and mission operations environment.
- Occasional rotating shifts may be required and other critical on-orbit operations.
- The role involves regular use of computer-based software development, monitoring, and operational tools. *Additional responsibilities may be assigned according to evolving programme and operational requirements.*