Job Information
Xplore Inc. Senior Satellite Operations Engineer in Bellevue, Washington
Own the Spacecraft. Own the Mission. Own the Outcome.
Xplore is a highly differentiated, venture-backed commercial space company. We design, build, and operate satellites and sensors that collect high-fidelity Earth observation data, enabling insights that support social, economic, environmental, and security outcomes across the globe.
Every image we collect is trillions of spectral data points - revealing the physical and chemical state of Earth in ways conventional imaging cannot. Our multi-sensor satellite captures and combines multi-modal remote sensing data with edge computing and high-throughput communications capabilities to generate spatial insights for our customers around the world.
We are building the operational backbone of a scalable space infrastructure company.
This role is not a shift-based satellite monitoring, this is ownership of mission-critical spacecraft from launch through full constellation scale.
If you want to help operate next generation small satellites in orbit — and design the systems that make it software-defined, autonomous, resilient, and scalable — this role is for you.
The Mission
We are hiring a Senior Satellite Operations Engineer to serve as a technical authority for Xplore’s on-orbit fleet.
You will lead spacecraft operations across the full lifecycle:
Launch and Early Orbit Operations (LEOP)
Commissioning and calibration
Routine mission execution
Anomaly response and recovery
Automation and autonomy development
Constellation scaling
You will improve current processes and architect them to be technically superb and operationally efficient.
What You Will Own
Mission Architecture & CONOPS
Define and evolve mission concepts of operation across multiple mission profiles
Architect operational frameworks from LEOP through decommissioning
Design scalable reference missions for multi-sensor spacecraft
Launch & Commissioning Leadership
Lead spacecraft operations from launch to deorbit
Develop and validate commissioning sequences
Execute payload checkout, calibration, and performance verification
On-Orbit Technical Authority
Lead anomaly detection, root cause analysis, and recovery planning
Make real-time mission-critical decisions
Own spacecraft health monitoring and operational performance
Execute and validate on-orbit software updates
Autonomy & Scalability
Design automation-first operations to support constellation growth
Build fault management and autonomy frameworks
Develop FlatSat and simulation-based validation pipelines
Reduce operator burden through intelligent systems
Ground & System Integration
Define mission operations and ground segment requirements
Architect command and control interfaces
Integrate and optimize commercial ground networks
Validate RF compatibility and remote interfaces
Your decisions will directly influence spacecraft reliability, scalability, and company value.
Why This Role Is Different
You will architect, improve and automate operations
You will operate advanced multi-sensor spacecraft with edge compute capabilities
You will shape both spacecraft design and ground infrastructure
You will work in a high-agency environment where technical judgment drives outcomes
Your impact will be visible in orbit.
This is a builder's role.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident
B.S. in Aerospace, Electrical, Systems, Software, or related engineering discipline
3–5+ years hands-on satellite operations or spacecraft systems experience
Real-time command and control experience in LEO
Demonstrated leadership of anomaly investigation and recovery efforts
Strong programming ability (Python required; C/C++ or Rust preferred)
Fluency in Linux-based operational environments
Experience developing procedures, documentation, and operator training
Additional Requirements
Ability to work extended hours or weekends as needed for mission critical deadlines
Ability to work on an “on-call” basis on a weeklong rotational schedule
Preferred Experience
Deep expertise in spacecraft subsystems and payload operations, including Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) and guidance, navigation, and control (GNC), with strong grounding in control theory, stability analysis, and on-orbit performance evaluation.
Experience with orbit determination and state estimation techniques (e.g., Kalman filtering, batch least squares, covariance analysis), including analysis of tracking data and validation of orbit and attitude solutions.
Experience with mission and collection planning for remote sensing or communications satellites, including development or operation of collection planning systems, mission CONOPS definition, and optimization under orbital, attitude, power, thermal, and communications constraints.
Experience designing or implementing spacecraft autonomy and fault management systems.
Strong understanding of ground systems architecture, including ground station integration, commercial gateway services, and ground network performance optimization for reliable command and telemetry operations.
Experience scaling operations from single spacecraft missions to multi-spacecraft or constellation operations.
Strong systems engineering discipline, including requirements development, verification and validation (V&V), and cross-functional technical integration.
What Success Looks Like (First 6 Months)
Establish CONOPS for two new programs
Fully validated operational procedures via simulation and FlatSat
Measurable increase in automation of recurring mission tasks
Strengthened anomaly response framework and recovery playbooks
Improved spacecraft operational efficiency and reliability metrics
Benefits
Pay Range Compensation and Benefits: USD $130k - $160k / 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.
Base salary is just one part of your Total Rewards at Xplore. As an employee, you will also receive access to comprehensive 100% company-funded medical, vision, and dental coverage, life and ADD insurance for you and your qualified dependents, and various other company perks such as free beverages and snacks, weekly team lunches, regular team outings, and special rewards. Additionally, Xplore offers an equity incentive plan (ESOP) for qualified full-time employees.
The HSA qualified health plan is available for full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week.
Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
Each full-time employee earns PTO at a rate of 1.33 days per month, and a minimum of 13 paid federal holidays are provided each year for full-time employees. Note: Employees in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law.
Who Thrives at Xplore
Our company and culture are built around smart, fun-loving people who:
Enjoy building, launching, and operating in the space industry
Are motivated by solving hard, scalable problems
Love being surrounded by "A" players who bring their all to the job
Take pride in the work created, are self-driven and naturally wired for performance
Embrace challenges and find solutions working with other talented, innovative and collaborative teammates
At the office, we push each other to become better engineers and builders every day. After hours, the curiosity doesn’t switch off — space is exciting, and conversations continue as new ideas strike.
We take our work seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.
Xplore teammates have a strong sense of humor and enjoy both intellectual and physical challenges. Across the team you’ll find people who sing and play instruments, experiment with hydroponics, try new fitness regimens, build elaborate LEGO sets, go geocaching, capture award-winning photos in National Parks, and more.
We’re a tight-knit group that loves what we do — and the people we do it with.
Why Join Now
Spacecraft already on orbit
Constellation scaling underway
Expanding government and commercial demand
Next-generation mission architecture in development
The engineers who join at this stage will define how Xplore operates for the next decade.
If you’re ready to command spacecraft, architect autonomy, and build operational systems that scale — we want to talk.
More About Xplore
Please click for company website (https://www.xplore.com)
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EEO/Additional Requirements
Xplore is an equal opportunity employer; employment with Xplore is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This employer participates in E-Verify. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. All persons hired will be required to be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.