---
title: 'Mission Operations Engineer I at Quantum Space'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-i-quantum-space-hawthorne-qk5gmgdqyf98'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-11-01'
---

# Mission Operations Engineer I at Quantum Space

- **Company:** Quantum Space
- **Location:** Hawthorne, CA
- **Posted:** 2026-10-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-01
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4458890009

## Job description

Quantum Space is redefining mobility and maneuverability in space. Our high-mobility spacecraft platforms support national security, civil, and commercial missions with unmatched flexibility and propulsion capability. We build fast and iterate quickly.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mission Operations Engineer I to support spacecraft operations, mission execution, and real-time monitoring of our next-generation space systems. In this role, you will assist with spacecraft commanding, telemetry analysis, operational procedure development, and anomaly identification while working closely with mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams.

You will play a key role in ensuring safe, reliable, and successful spacecraft operations throughout the mission lifecycle. This position is ideal for an early-career engineer who has a strong technical foundation, enjoys solving complex problems, and is eager to gain hands-on experience supporting mission-critical space operations in a fast-paced environment.

Where You’ll Make an Impact

- Execute routine and contingency spacecraft operations under supervision, including command uplink, telemetry monitoring, and spacecraft health assessments.
- Monitor spacecraft performance in real time, identifying anomalies, off-nominal trends, and potential operational issues.
- Support the development, testing, and validation of operational procedures, command sequences, and mission products.
- Analyze spacecraft telemetry data to support performance trending, troubleshooting, and mission reporting.
- Coordinate with ground stations and network service providers to support successful spacecraft communication passes.
- Participate in mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, and post-pass analyses.
- Collaborate with mission operations, systems engineering, and ground software teams to support spacecraft performance and operational objectives.
- Document operational findings, lessons learned, and recommended improvements to procedures and tools.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives that enhance mission reliability, operational efficiency, and spacecraft performance.

What It Takes

- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- Foundational understanding of spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, communications, thermal, and propulsion.
- Familiarity with scripting and data analysis tools such as Python or MATLAB.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow structured operational procedures.
- Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.
- Ability to remain focused and methodical during time-sensitive or critical operations.
- Willingness to learn new spacecraft systems, mission tools, and operational processes.
- Ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays based on mission requirements.

Nice-to-Have Experience

- Internship or academic project experience in satellite operations, ground systems, or mission design.
- Experience working with telemetry/command systems, mission planning tools, or ground software.
- Understanding of RF communications, orbital mechanics, or command and control architectures.
- Ability to interpret data sets and develop basic automation or analysis scripts.

## What You’ll Get

- Ownership – Gain hands-on experience supporting spacecraft operations and mission-critical activities that directly contribute to mission success.
- Innovation – Work with next-generation spacecraft technologies advancing space mobility, maneuverability, and mission operations.
- Impact – Contribute to real-world national security, civil, and commercial space missions through reliable spacecraft operations and performance monitoring.
- Growth – Develop your technical expertise alongside experienced engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Compensation – Competitive salary, equity, and comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, generous leave, FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.

Location: Hawthorne, CA

Base Salary: $90,000- 125,000

The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a wide range of compensation factors. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations. Highly competitive equity grants are included in the majority of full time offers; and are considered part of Quantum Space's total compensation package.

Additional Requirements

To comply with U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including ITAR, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual per 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Apply now. Join us in building the next generation of spacecraft.

## About Quantum Space

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Quantum Space is building the next generation of advanced, maneuverable spacecraft (the Ranger platform) to disrupt the orbital economy by reducing the cost of operating across every orbit the nation needs to hold, from LEO through GEO and out to cislunar space.
- **Entity Type**: Private (going public via merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI; anticipated ticker QSPC)
- **Headquarters**: Rockville, Maryland, United States
- **Founded**: 2022
- **Founders**: Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (Executive Chairman & Co-founder), Ben Reed (Chief Technology Officer), Adarsh Parekh (President & Co-founder), Kerry Wisnosky (Co-founder)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense and Space Manufacturing, National Security Space, Cislunar Infrastructure
- **Target customers**: Primarily Government (U.S. national security space agencies, Space Force, NASA, DARPA)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To enable the freedom to maneuver in space for the United States, providing a maneuver-first architecture engineered for multi-orbit operations at scale.

## Products & Services
- **Ranger Spacecraft Platform**: A highly maneuverable orbital transfer and servicing platform. Key specs include up to 4,000+ kg of storable hydrazine, multi-mode propulsion, a 15-year operational life, on-orbit refueling capability, and a modular payload architecture. It is designed to reach GEO and beyond at up to 70% lower cost than conventional architectures.
- **Space Domain Awareness**: Providing ubiquitous awareness of activities on orbit, delivering actionable intelligence.
- **Payload Hosting & Data Services**: A standardized platform capable of being configured for any mission at any orbit, hosting government and commercial payloads.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed for the private company; the SPAC merger agreement values the combined entity, but specific valuation is not publicly available.
- **Key Metric**: $88M+ in secured government contracts. Total funding of $56.1M across 6 prior funding rounds.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI (SPAC merger partner); Dr. Kam Ghaffarian (also founded Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), X-energy (NASDAQ: XE), Axiom Space); Jim Bridenstine (CEO, former NASA Administrator).
- **Growth Signals**: Aggressive hiring with 31 active job postings and +158.3% monthly job posting growth; acquired Phase Four's multi-mode propulsion assets in September 2025; constructing a manufacturing facility at Tulsa International Airport; awarded a DARPA LASSO contract; going public via SPAC merger.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Massive Fuel Capacity & Maneuverability**: 4,000+ kg of storable fuel is significantly more than current spacecraft, and the multi-mode propulsion allows for speed, efficiency, and flexibility across all orbits.
- **Refuelable & Modular Architecture**: Designed for on-orbit refueling and a modular payload system, enabling long-duration missions (15 years) and rapid reconfiguration.
- **Deep IP Moat**: 17 issued and pending patents protecting the core technology.
- **Cost Disruption**: Claims up to 70% cost reduction for operations beyond LEO and up to 10x+ launch cost savings compared to conventional architectures.
- **National Security Focus**: Deeply embedded with U.S. Space Command and national security priorities, with leadership that includes former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine and a 40-year Missile Defense Agency veteran.

## Strategic Focus
- **Golden Dome / National Security**: The company's Ranger spacecraft is positioned as a key platform for the proposed "Golden Dome" national security space architecture.
- **SPAC Merger & Public Listing**: Completing the merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. VI to go public under the ticker QSPC.
- **Manufacturing Expansion**: Building out manufacturing capacity in Tulsa, OK, and Huntsville, AL, to scale production of the Ranger platform.
- **Cislunar Operations**: Developing capabilities for operations in cislunar space, including winning the DARPA LASSO contract.

## Why Work Here
- **Mission-Driven**: The company is focused on a critical national security mission, offering employees a chance to work on technology that directly impacts U.S. space superiority.
- **High Growth Trajectory**: Rapidly scaling from a startup to a public company, with aggressive hiring, new facility construction, and major government contracts.
- **Flexible Work Environment**: The company emphasizes work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements. Roles are available across multiple locations (Rockville, MD; Huntsville, AL; Hawthorne, CA; Tulsa, OK).
- **Competitive Compensation**: Offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, generous leave (including parental leave), FSA, 401(k) matching, and equity sharing.
- **Tight-Knit Team**: Described as a fast-paced, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists, offering exposure to the full lifecycle of mission development, launch, and operations.

## Sources
1. [quantumspace.us](https://www.quantumspace.us/)
2. [quantumspace.us/about](https://www.quantumspace.us/about)
3. [linkedin.com](https://www.linkedin.com/company/quantumspace-us)
4. [investors.quantumspace.us](https://investors.quantumspace.us/)
5. [Greenhouse Careers Page](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/quantumspacellc/jobs/4193183009)

## Other roles at Quantum Space

- [Software Test & Automation Engineer  II](https://feeny.ai/job/software-test-automation-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-prg2hnbt7en5) — Rockville, MD
- [Thermal Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/thermal-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-jmdgrr0v7wb7) — Rockville, MD
- [EGSE/Avionics Test Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/egse-avionics-test-software-engineer-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-7sc3mcht5r5p) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Propulsion Engineer II (Analyst)](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-analyst-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-zsvbywma7nwk) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Propulsion Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/propulsion-engineer-ii-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-hawthorne-nvb05k58dvvr) — Rockville MD OR Hawthorne, CA
- [Mission Operations Engineer II](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-ii-quantum-space-hawthorne-asvhk4wramzs) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Technical Recruiter (Contract)](https://feeny.ai/job/technical-recruiter-contract-quantum-space-rockville-md-or-tulsa-dr9agf6m15jr) — Rockville MD OR Tulsa, OK
- [Mission Operations Ground Software Engineering Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-ground-software-engineering-lead-quantum-space-hawthorne-wn3r03nv70p9) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Special Security Officer (SSO)](https://feeny.ai/job/special-security-officer-sso-quantum-space-hawthorne-hhqbs6aeh42j) — Hawthorne, CA
- [Controller](https://feeny.ai/job/controller-quantum-space-rockville-am48bcdwcm6x) — Rockville, MD