Ground Station Operations Engineer
Houston, TX
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With the first commercial lunar landing in history, multiple NASA lunar missions in development, and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting our customers and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About The Role
Intuitive Machines is seeking multiple Ground Station Operations Engineers to join our team. This role can be filled at experience levels from early- to mid-career. These positions will support ongoing operations, along with development and testing of a commercial Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) network of ground stations. The applicant(s) will be located on-site at Intuitive Machines’ Houston, TX location, and will operate in a cross-functional team on the design, development, test, and operation of ground station hardware, including associated software.
Responsibilities:
- Support advancement and real-time operations of IM’s global ground station network
- Assist in development and execution of test plans for ground station hardware, encompassing: Base Band Units (BBUs), AWS cloud infrastructure, RF systems, mission control center systems, and other critical ground elements
- Develop real-time operations products, including procedures, asset schedules, troubleshooting documentation and Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
- Support (and potentially lead) technical and programmatic meetings, including working groups, Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), etc.
- Serve as a real-time operator, eventually leading a small team of subsystem experts
- Work with internal and external stakeholders to integrate ground software and network automation
- Participate in Integration & Verification activities
- Develop and enforce Mission Rules to ensure vehicle/system health and mission objectives
- The candidate will be encouraged to take on as much responsibility as practical and will be expected to play a role in the entire cradle-to-grave development process, including requirements development, conceptualization, supplier relationships, procurement, procedure development, and on-console mission operations support.
Qualifications:
- B.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in ground station development/testing, real-time mission operations or related discipline; or M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering or related discipline and a minimum of 2 years of experience
- Proficiency in conducting ground station testing and operations
- Familiarity with test equipment such as network analyzers, oscilloscopes, modems, etc.
- Conducting benchtop testing of RF, analog and digital signals
- Knowledge of ground station hardware, including HPAs, LNAs, circulators, diplexers, etc.
- Experience making time-sensitive decisions in high-pressure, high-risk environments
- Preflight training and development of integrated procedures and mission rules
- Demonstrated cross-discipline support
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite and other collaboration tools (e.g., Atlassian Confluence, Jira, etc.)
Preferred Skills:
- Familiarity with ground station design and operations, including hardware, software, communications (RF)
- Experience with spacecraft and associated systems, e.g., flight control, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, power systems, avionics, ground support systems (command, telemetry)
- Real-time spacecraft/satellite operations, preferably spanning multiple disciplines or functions
- Fundamental grasp of networking principles and protocols (TCP/IP, DHCP, UDP, routing)
- Proficiency in operational leadership and risk management
- Experience with international partners
US EEO Statement
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related discipline
- At least 5 years of experience in ground station development and testing, real-time mission operations, or a related discipline; alternatively, a relevant master’s degree with at least 2 years of experience
- Proficiency conducting ground station testing and operations
- Familiarity with network analyzers, oscilloscopes, modems, and similar test equipment
- Experience conducting benchtop testing of RF, analog, and digital signals
- Knowledge of ground station hardware, including HPAs, LNAs, circulators, and diplexers
- Ability to make time-sensitive decisions in high-pressure, high-risk environments
- Experience with preflight training and development of integrated procedures and mission rules
- Demonstrated cross-discipline support experience
- Experience with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools such as Confluence and Jira
- Familiarity with ground station design and operations, including hardware, software, and RF communications
- Experience with spacecraft systems such as flight control, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, power systems, avionics, and ground support systems
- Real-time spacecraft or satellite operations experience across multiple disciplines
- Understanding of networking principles and protocols, including TCP/IP, DHCP, UDP, and routing
- Experience with operational leadership and risk management
- Experience working with international partners
What We Do
Intuitive Machines' complete lunar program unlocks the lunar economy to explore the solar system further and gain knowledge for the progress of humanity. As the premier provider of space services and technologies, Intuitive Machines is reestablishing the United States' dominance on the ultimate high ground, the Moon. Designed by the greatest minds in spaceflight, IM's lunar program will send the first American spacecraft to the surface of the Moon since the Apollo program and send the first spacecraft ever to reach the lunar south pole.
