Mission Operations Engineer – Ground Systems

Location: Eastern NM
Employment Type: Full Time, Exempt
Posted by: LHH Recruitment Solutions

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About the Opportunity

LHH is partnering with an innovative, high‑growth aerospace technology company developing next‑generation stratospheric platforms for communications, imaging, and remote sensing. These high‑altitude lighter‑than‑air systems operate between 18 and 21 km, carrying advanced payloads for telecommunications, disaster response, environmental monitoring, Earth observation, and defense applications.

As this organization rapidly expands its mission operations team, we are seeking a Mission Operations Engineer – Ground Systems to support the design, development, testing, and operation of mission‑critical ground systems. This is an opportunity to join a mission‑driven engineering environment and contribute directly to breakthrough aerospace technologies.

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Role Summary

The Mission Operations Engineer will play a key role in building, maintaining, and operating ground systems that support high‑altitude flight operations. This includes developing test tools and automation, managing Linux-based systems, supporting pre-flight readiness, operating consoles during missions, and participating in post-flight analysis.

The ideal candidate is hands‑on, analytical, collaborative, and comfortable working across hardware, software, and mission operations teams in a fast‑paced environment.

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What You’ll Do

Test Design and Execution

• Automate test procedures, capture results, and document anomalies

• Develop operator‑friendly interfaces for monitoring system health and telemetry

• Support Test Readiness Reviews and cross-functional testing activities

Scripting and Development

• Write scripts and validation tools to verify system functionality

• Build UI elements for test and simulation tools

• Submit and track software change requests

System Operations and Administration

• Manage test environments, including hardware, software, and networking

• Perform Linux system administration

• Support distributed ground systems and ensure uptime

RF and SDR (Optional but Valuable)

• Interface with RF hardware and software-defined radios

• Validate signal processing and communications behavior

Simulation and Visualization

• Use or develop simulation tools to analyze system behavior

• Integrate simulation outputs into acceptance and verification workflows

Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) Systems

• Support and troubleshoot BLOS communication systems

• Address latency, data accuracy, and link quality challenges

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in aerospace, electrical, mechanical, software, computer engineering, or related physical science

• Five plus years of experience in ground control system design, testing, or related aerospace roles

• Strong Linux skills and basic system administration experience

• Proficiency in at least one scripting language such as Python or Ruby

• Experience writing and maintaining test scripts, validation code, and internal UI tools

• Understanding of human‑factor principles for operator interface design

• Experience analyzing complex datasets and supporting verification and validation efforts

• Ability to work in fast‑paced, cross‑disciplinary engineering environments

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Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with SDRs or RF hardware

• Familiarity with simulation modeling and visualization tools

• Experience with BLOS communications or related mission systems

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Soft Skills

• Strong troubleshooting instincts and analytical mindset

• Clear communicator who works well across teams

• Detail-oriented with strong documentation habits

• Adaptable, proactive, and eager to learn

• Collaborative, curious, and driven to innovate

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What We Offer

This organization provides a unique engineering environment along with excellent workplace perks, including:

• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, disability)

• Generous employer contributions to benefits

• 401(k) with company match

• High-performance, collaborative culture

Pay Details: $130,000.00 to $150,000.00 per year

Search managed by: Megan McQuay

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.