SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
MISSION MANAGER, LAUNCH
SpaceX services a diverse range of customers across our programs and is looking for exemplary individuals capable of supporting our missions. As a Launch Site Mission Manager, you will be a hands-on contributor responsible for all launch site activities associated with current and future customer spacecraft missions from Vandenberg Air Force Base. This unique location is SpaceX’s primary site for polar and high-inclination orbital missions. You’ll own mission planning, and work directly with the primary Mission Manager and all Launch Site Operations Teams to ensure all customer requirements are met for launch site processing.
In this role you will directly support the execution of the campaign through all phases of operation from launch site spacecraft arrival and offload, to supporting the customer on console during launch. You’ll be an advocate for our customer by acting as the point of contact to apply customer feedback and campaign lessons learned to rapidly improve mission execution and customer satisfaction.
In this position you will also represent the SpaceX launch site to our government customers and be responsible for assuring successful execution on our contractual launch site deliverables for National Security Space missions. You will be responsible for maintaining certification of the Launch Site and providing operational insight to our government customers.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Function as launch site focal point for spacecraft range requirements and safety documentation, including the spacecraft Air Force Space Command Manual 91-710 Tailoring, Missile System Prelaunch Safety Package, and the Ground Operations Plan
- Serve as launch site point of contact for spacecraft customer interface requirements validation (e.g. interface control document) while working with multidisciplinary teams for approval and implementation
- Be the subject matter expert and primary point of contact for customer spacecraft processing, transportation, and logistics at the launch site before and during the launch campaign
- Plan and generate technical content for the launch portions of the spacecraft design reviews and ground operations working group activities planning future spacecraft launch campaigns
- Plan and manage spacecraft rehearsals along with the execution of spacecraft requirements and inputs into SpaceX day of launch operations
- Manage and coordinate spacecraft daily processing and scheduling and provide inputs into integrated SpaceX launch schedules
- Identify, develop, and codify process improvements to streamline and standardize spacecraft processing activities
- Function as launch site contact to draft launch base elements of new proposals and contracts
- Plan, schedule, and staff customer launch site visits and technical interchange meetings
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or science
- 5+ years of technical project management experience
- 4+ years of experience working hands-on with hardware or software technical projects
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s degree in an engineering field
- Technical project management and master scheduling experience
- Proficiency in or hands-on professional experience with launch vehicle and/or spacecraft integration along with operations in 100,000 class or cleaner cleanrooms
- 5+ years of experience working with government, NASA, or commercial launch contract
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with direct experience negotiating technical deliverables or scope
- Excellent negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills
- Experience working with cross-functional team and external customers
- Highly detail oriented, diligent, hard working with excellent customer interface skills
- Passion for advancing the commercial space industry
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
- Ability to become certified to operate equipment such as aerial lifts, fork lifts, and overhead cranes
ADDITIONAL REQUIRMENTS:
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret or Top Secret SCI clearance is preferred. Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing
- Must be willing to travel to launch sites, test sites, other SpaceX offices, and customer locations as needed (up to 25%)
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg
- Must be willing to work extended hours and occasional weekends when necessary to support launch and critical project timelines
- Must be able to lift a minimum of 35 lbs. unassisted
- Lifting, standing, climbing, bending, grasping, sitting, pulling, pushing, stooping, stretching, and carrying are generally required to perform the functions of this position
- Must be willing to operate heavy machinery
- Flight hardware is built in tight quarters - physical dexterity is required
- Occasionally exposed to work in extreme outdoor environments – heat, cold, rain, ice
- Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, and noise
Mission Manager: $130,000.00 - $180,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $15,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
- To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [email protected].
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, or science
- 5+ years of technical project management experience
- 4+ years of hands-on experience with hardware or software technical projects
- Master's degree in an engineering field
- Technical project management and master scheduling experience
- Professional experience with launch vehicle or spacecraft integration and operations in 100,000-class or cleaner cleanrooms
- 5+ years working with government, NASA, or commercial launch contracts
- Experience negotiating technical deliverables or scope
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers
- Ability to obtain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance
- Ability to pass Air Force background checks for Vandenberg
- Willingness to travel up to 25%
- Ability to become certified to operate aerial lifts, forklifts, and overhead cranes
- Ability to lift at least 35 pounds unassisted
- Willingness to operate heavy machinery and work extended hours or occasional weekends
- U.S. person status or eligibility for required ITAR authorizations
SpaceX Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SpaceX and has not been reviewed or approved by SpaceX.
-
Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity grants are a core part of total compensation, with periodic company-run tender offers that create liquidity before any public listing. These mechanisms can make the equity component feel materially valuable in practice.
-
Healthcare Strength — The package includes comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with on-site clinics and health resources at major sites. This breadth of coverage is presented as a strong element of the offering.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Major locations feature on-site amenities such as fitness facilities, food/coffee, clinics, and other conveniences. These lifestyle perks enhance day-to-day value alongside cash and equity.
SpaceX Insights
What We Do
SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches the world’s most advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk to revolutionize space transportation, with the ultimate goal of making life multiplanetary. SpaceX has gained worldwide attention for a series of historic milestones. It is the only private company ever to return a spacecraft from low-Earth orbit, which it first accomplished in December 2010. The company made history again in May 2012 when its Dragon spacecraft attached to the International Space Station, exchanged cargo payloads, and returned safely to Earth — a technically challenging feat previously accomplished only by governments. Since then Dragon has delivered cargo to and from the space station multiple times, providing regular cargo resupply missions for NASA.
