--- title: 'Mission Operations Engineer II at Quantum Space' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/mission-operations-engineer-ii-quantum-space-hawthorne-asvhk4wramzs' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-01' --- # Mission Operations Engineer II 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/4458895009 ## 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 skilled and motivated Mission Operations Engineer II to support real-time spacecraft operations, mission execution, and the performance of our next-generation space systems. In this role, you will take ownership of spacecraft commanding, telemetry analysis, operational procedure development, and anomaly resolution while collaborating closely with mission operations, systems engineering, ground software, and mission assurance teams. You will play a key role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and operational success of spacecraft throughout the mission lifecycle, from commissioning through on-orbit operations. This position is ideal for an engineer with hands-on spacecraft operations experience who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex technical challenges, and is passionate about advancing next-generation space missions. Where You’ll Make an Impact - Perform real-time spacecraft operations, including commanding, telemetry monitoring, subsystem performance assessment, and anomaly triage. - Lead development and execution of operational procedures, command products, and test plans for both routine and complex mission scenarios. - Serve as subsystem or operations lead for designated mission areas, owning trending, analysis, and performance reporting. - Support anomaly resolution through data analysis, root‐cause investigation, and cross‐functional engineering collaboration. - Contribute to mission planning, including pass planning, resource allocation, and long-term operational strategy. - Coordinate with ground network providers, mission assurance, and software teams to ensure readiness and reliability across the ground segment. - Support rehearsals, readiness reviews, new‐spacecraft commissioning, and post‐launch operations. - Mentor junior team members and contribute to training materials and knowledge transfer. What It Takes - Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related technical field. - 2+ years of experience in spacecraft operations, mission control, satellite systems engineering, or a closely related technical discipline. - Working knowledge of spacecraft subsystems, including attitude determination and control (ADCS), power, thermal, communications, and propulsion. - Hands-on experience with spacecraft telemetry analysis, command and control systems, and operational procedures. - Experience with scripting or automation tools, preferably Python, to support data analysis and operational efficiency. - Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex spacecraft performance issues. - Ability to make sound, methodical decisions in time-sensitive or mission-critical environments. - Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills. - Demonstrated initiative, ownership, and ability to manage technical responsibilities with minimal supervision. - Ability to work rotating shifts, including occasional nights, weekends, or holidays based on mission requirements. Nice-to-Have Experience - Experience supporting on-orbit anomaly investigation and resolution. - Familiarity with operational software development, simulation environments, or mission planning tools. - Knowledge of RF systems, link budgets, orbital mechanics, or ground segment architectures. - Demonstrated ability to improve processes, build tools, or automate operational workflows. - Experience supporting launch and early orbit phases (LEOP) or spacecraft commissioning. ## What You’ll Get - Ownership – Take responsibility for spacecraft operations, subsystem performance, 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 – Play a key role in ensuring reliable spacecraft performance and successful national security, civil, and commercial space missions. - Growth – Expand your technical expertise, mentor junior engineers, and grow alongside an experienced, collaborative team in a fast-paced space environment. - 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: $105,000-140,000 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. 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