Senior Mission Planning Engineer - TeraWave

About TeraWave

Role Overview

Responsibilities

• Design and own the end-to-end mission planning process from mission design through operational execution, including planning cycle workflows, activity request intake, deconfliction, resource allocation, and timeline generation.
• Establish constraint frameworks that govern how activities are scheduled, sequenced, and validated.
• Translate system-level requirements, mission design outputs (trajectory plans, spacecraft models, ConOps), and mission objectives into actionable planning requirements.
• Define command sequence structure, procedure formats, and play architectures that align with the mission planning process and enable development of executable operational products.
• Ensure mission planners have clear, validated activity templates, planning tools, and operational processes to execute planning cycles during mission operations.
• Partner with mission planning software architects and developers to define operational requirements, and design, validate, and integrate mission-unique activity templates and command sequences into planning tools.
• Lead development of mission planning ops products, including activity templates, constraint definitions, planning procedures, and timeline products.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of mission planning tools and automation capabilities.
• Support test activities and rehearsals as the mission planning technical lead, ensuring planning products are verified and validated through simulation, rehearsal, and review processes.
• Mentor and guide junior mission planning engineers and operations team mission planners on planning processes and best practices.
• Support real-time mission operations as an on-console mission planner during launch and early orbit phase and other critical mission events as needed.
• Represent mission planning in cross-functional forums and design reviews.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of experience in spacecraft mission operations, mission planning, flight dynamics, or flight operations.
• Demonstrated experience designing or significantly contributing to new mission planning processes, tools, or systems.
• Experience developing command sequences, operational procedures, or activity timelines for spacecraft operations.
• Strong understanding of spacecraft subsystems and how they constrain operational planning (power, thermal, data, comms availability, attitude).
• Software development experience in Python or equivalent programming language.
• Experience working across organizational boundaries to integrate engineering outputs into operational products.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or related field.
• Experience with multi-mission or constellation operations planning.
• Experience leading or coordinating test exercises, rehearsals, or operational readiness activities.
• Familiarity with Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) approaches and how they feed operational planning.
• Experience with ground system command and control architectures.
• Knowledge of electric propulsion systems and low-thrust trajectory planning.
• Experience applying AI/ML techniques to engineering workflows, such as building or integrating intelligent automation, optimization models, or data-driven decision support tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Strong communication and coordination skills for interfacing with customers, engineering teams, and operations personnel.

Compensation

• Base pay range for VA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45.
• Base pay range for WA applicants is $156,802.00 - $219,522.45.
• Other site ranges may differ.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 5%, and an Education Support Program.
• Stock Options for all regular employees (working at least 20 hours/week).
• Paid Time Off: Up to four (4) weeks per year based on weekly scheduled hours, and up to 14 company-paid holidays.
• Dependent on role type and job level, employees may be eligible for benefits and bonuses based on the company's intent to reward individual contributions.

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