Launch and Payload Operations

Stellar Solutions, a nationally recognized "Great Place to Work", has exciting opportunities providing Engineering solutions for innovative new-entrant space companies, as well as established space systems manufacturers, commercial space system operators and service providers, and other industry stakeholders including investors.

At Stellar Solutions, we offer talented, energetic, and immediately productive resources to satisfy our customers' critical needs in systems engineering and integration, mission operations, program management and strategic planning. We are a leading service and expertise provider for high-tech commercial ventures, spanning communications, earth observation and remote sensing systems and data products, to the infrastructures that support earth orbiting and beyond earth orbit businesses.

Stellar Solutions is seeking Launch and Payload operations specialists to support the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Office of Space Launch (OSL). In this capacity, successful candidates will serve the customers critical needs as the focal point for launch systems planning, acquisition, integration and operations.

In this role, your duties and responsibilities will include some or many aspects of the following:

Provide day-of-launch planning, rehearsal and execution of launch and initialization activities
• Support the development and execution of project mission requirements, technical reviews, mission integration planning, Range coordination, readiness review preparation, technical procedure coordination, anomaly resolution, integration of mission requirements, and Lessons Learned adjudication
• Develop, update, and standardize Day-of-Launch processes, procedures, and products used by OSL personnel
• Coordinate with Ranges, launch vehicle contractors and program office personnel on the implementation of changes to ConOps and ensure changes are reflected in preparations and rehearsals
• Assist in the development of the launch support concept by mission to deliver the launch constant criteria by mission to develop rehearsal scenarios and scripts
• Prepare and track action items and lessons learned following each readiness event
• Provide technical analysis of hazards associated with spacecraft design, aerospace ground support equipment/hardware, facilities and processing for OSL
• Review and assess procedures and plans for SV programs, launch vehicle integration, and Operations and Maintenance and other support contractors as applicable
• Conduct/support facility readiness walk-downs prior to vehicle arrival and propellant operations
• Perform safety reviews and evaluations of support contractors and subcontractors for all processing activities
• Ensure implementation of applicable range safety requirements for space vehicle programs, support equipment/hardware and facilities
• Actively participate in major design reviews, working groups, readiness reviews, technical interchange meetings splinter groups, etc
• Provide cradle-to-grave payload processing support activities
• Provide day-of launch integration and execution of launch and initialization activities, as well as daily operations support for Satellite Control Network users
• Perform planning, integration, scheduling, training, and execution of launch, ascent, and on-orbit operations for NRO missions and assigned partner launches

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to convey information in a clear and articulate manner to teammates and customers
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing requirements and tasks and managing long-term tasks as well as short-term obligations
• General knowledge of NRO/OSL or other relevant IC/DOD policies and procedures
• Critical thinking skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Travel may be required less than 25% of the time
• TS/SCI w CI Poly

Desired Qualifications:

• Direct experience working in or with NRO/OSL
• Technical degree
• Experience in all phases of space launch life cycle

Locations: Chantilly, VA, Cape Canaveral, FL, Los Angeles, CA, Vandenberg, AFB, or Colorado Springs, CO

The typical pay range for this position is USD $70,000 - $230,000 per year. Individual pay is determined by many factors including work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This position is also eligible for a discretionary annual performance bonus, retirement plan and other benefits (all included as part of package).

Successfully execute day-of-launch operations, ensuring seamless integration of mission requirements with launch vehicle systems, and contribute to mission success by refining procedures, resolving anomalies, and capturing lessons learned for future launches.