Lunar Ground Network Operations Engineer
Houston, TX
About Intuitive Machines:
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible toboth public and private customers. We believe our mission is to further research, communications, andexploration beyond low lunar orbit. With multiple NASA lunar missions in the making and additionalprivate missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, 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 spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About The Role
Intuitive Machines is seeking a Mid-Level Lunar Ground Network Operations Engineer to join our team. This position will support ongoing operations, along with development and testing of a commercial Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) network of ground stations. The applicant will be located on-site at Intuitive Machines’ newly established Lunar Production and Operations Center in Houston, TX. The candidate will operate in a cross-functional team on the design, development, test, and operation of flight and ground support hardware, including associated software.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support advancement and real-time operations of IM’s Lunar TT&C Network (LTN)
- 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.
- Potential to 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, avionics, 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 collaboration tools (e.g., Atlassian Confluence, Jira, etc.)
Desired Skills:
- Familiarity with spacecraft design and operations, including one or more of the following: hardware, software, flight control, flight dynamics, orbital mechanics, communications (RF), 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
- Ability to establish and sustain relationships with international partners
Intangibles:
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
- Exceptional organizational abilities
- Creative approach to problem solving
- Ability and willingness to work under compressed and aggressive delivery schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays during mission operations
- Alignment with Intuitive Machines core values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence
- Enthusiastic about teamwork and adept at working collaboratively across disciplines in a fast-paced, dynamic and deadline-driven setting
US EEO StatementIntuitive 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.
