Senior Systems Engineer – Mission Planner

L3Harris Technologies

. Lead real-time mission planning and execution activities supporting a multi-satellite constellation in a 24/7 operational environment .

Posted 11/4/2026full-timePalm Bay • Florida • United StatesSeniorWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in mission planning and execution for multi-satellite constellations, with a strong focus on operational decision-making, anomaly response, and collaboration across engineering and operational teams. Proficient in managing spacecraft operations, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and maintaining situational awareness in a dynamic 24/7 environment.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Mission PlanningSpacecraft OperationsAnomaly ResponseOperational Decision AuthorityTelemetry Monitoring

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Mission PlanningSpacecraft OperationsTelemetry MonitoringGround Station SchedulingCommand Execution ProcessesAnomaly ResponseOperational TroubleshootingIncident DocumentationOrbital Maneuver PlanningConfiguration Management

Soft Skills

LeadershipCollaborationSituational AwarenessProblem SolvingCommunication

Tools & Technologies

Neptune TelemetryTracking and Command (TT&C)Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC)OCEAN Software Applications

Certifications & Qualifications

Active Secret Security ClearanceActive Top Secret Clearance

Industry Keywords

Multi-Satellite OperationsLow Earth Orbit (LEO)Operational Readiness TestingMission SimulationsFlight Dynamics

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead real-time mission planning and execution activities supporting a multi-satellite constellation in a 24/7 operational environment
Direct and coordinate a three-person shift crew
Develop, validate, and maintain daily and long-range mission plans, including satellite contacts, payload operations, maneuver windows, and contingency activities
Serve as the on-shift operational decision authority within established procedures and delegated authorities
Manage routine operations, execution risks, and initial anomaly response
Maintain situational awareness of spacecraft health, mission timelines, ground network availability, communication windows, and operational constraints across a 16-vehicle constellation
Identify and resolve mission scheduling conflicts, competing priorities, and operational constraints
Coordinate shift turnovers and transfer spacecraft status, mission priorities, unresolved issues, and time-critical activities
Collaborate with engineering, flight dynamics, payload operations, ground systems, and program leadership to translate mission requirements into executable operational plans
Review and approve command products, operational procedures, and mission schedule changes within established authorization limits
Lead initial anomaly assessment and operational response activities
Ensure compliance with operational procedures, configuration management, mission assurance requirements, and applicable safety standards
Maintain operational logs, mission execution records, anomaly documentation, and shift activity reports
Participate in operational readiness reviews, mission rehearsals, simulations, and post-event assessments
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on operational efficiency, mission planning processes, and crew readiness

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 4 years of prior relevant experience
Graduate Degree and a minimum of 2 years of prior related experience
In lieu of a degree, minimum of 8 years of prior related experience
Active Secret security clearance
3+ years’ experience working with spacecraft operations, telemetry monitoring, ground station scheduling, communication windows, and command execution processes
3+ years’ experience supporting anomaly response, operational troubleshooting, incident documentation, and established escalation procedures
Support rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and surge operations as mission requirements dictate
Occasional travel to Huntsville, Alabama, or Grand Forks, North Dakota, may be required
Preferred: Experience with Neptune Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C), Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC), or OCEAN software applications
Preferred: Previous experience as a Mission Planner, Shift Lead, Crew Lead, Flight Controller, or Spacecraft Operator with operational leadership responsibilities
Preferred: Experience supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecraft, multi-satellite operations, or proliferated satellite constellations
Preferred: Familiarity with flight dynamics products, orbital maneuver planning, conjunction screening, and mission timeline integration
Preferred: Experience coordinating spacecraft activities across engineering, payload operations, ground systems, flight dynamics, and external mission partners
Preferred: Knowledge of operational readiness testing, mission simulations, rehearsals, and on-console qualification or certification processes
Preferred: Experience developing operational procedures, reviewing command products, and improving mission planning or execution processes
Preferred: Familiarity with anomaly resolution processes, root cause investigations, corrective action development, and operational lessons learned
Preferred: Active Top Secret clearance

Benefits

Comp & perks

9/80 work schedule (Every Other Friday Off)
Reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities