Senior Manager, Mission Planning/Orbit Analysis

Senior Manager, Mission Planning / Orbit Analysis

Job Locations US-VA-Leesburg

Job ID 2024-3395

Category

Engineering

Worker Category

Regular Full-Time F

Company Overview

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world.

For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things.

At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks.

People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected.

We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed.

Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions.

Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves.

We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities

What We're Looking For :

Iridium is seeking a Senior Manager of Mission Planning and Orbit Analysis who is ready to rise to the next level in their career.

As the Senior Manager of the Mission Planning and Orbit Analysis team, you will be in charge of all aspects of flight dynamics and mission planning from cradle to grave operations of the Iridium Satellite Network consisting of 66 Low-Earth orbiting satellites with 14 on-orbit spares and 28 Feeder Link Terminals distributed over 7 ground stations all over the world.

In this role, you'll work with senior management to establish stragetic plans and objectives as it relates to Mission Planning, Flight Dynamics, and Conjunction analysis in support of our 24 / 7 real time operations team to provide the highest level of service to our customers through high quality and efficient operations.

If you're passionate about leading, mentoring, and improving your fellow employees, then we want to talk to you.

What You'll Do :

Foster and develop a highly effective and diverse team of operations engineers, Flight Dynamics engineers, and Mission Planners empowered to execute the operations on a 24x7 basis, provide software development and testing support for the Mission Planning and Orbit Analysis domains, and other Iridium new business projects

• Mentor and train your team by performing regular check-ins, discussing career growth opportunities, giving constructive feedback, and managing conflict when necessary
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Mission Planning and Orbit Analysis teams to ensure all daily products that are required for autonomous command and control scheduling, Teleport Network (TPN) execution, network routing, station keeping maneuvers, and real-time satellite clock maintenance are delivered in a timely manner with zero errors
• Supervise the Real-Time fault detection, monitoring, troubleshooting, and escalation for the satellite clock and propellant subsystems and be responsible for all satellite timing maintenance and propellant management activities
• Support all fault escalation processes and lead 24 / 7 anomaly resolution relating to mission routing and scheduling, on-orbit maneuvering, satellite timing and propulsion anomalies, and conjunction mitigation
• Provide operational support for all aspects of Collision Avoidance (COLA) including analysis of all conjunctions, coordination with external agencies and other operators, execution of mitigation maneuvers as necessary.
• Manage all maneuver planning and execution for ascent, de-orbit, slot swap, station-keeping, collision avoidance, and cross-track maneuvers and execute long term constellation trending, relative RAAN rate progression, frozen orbit stability, and cross-link pointing performance
• Be accountable for driving constant process improvement by leading the development and implementation of new algorithms for flight dynamics, mission planning, and new business opportunities relating to Mission Planning and Scheduling as well as Flight Dynamics, collision avoidance, and network management

Experience & Education Requirements / EEO

What You'll Need to Succeed :

• Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related scientific field
• 10+ years of relevant experience in Satellite Operations and Flight Dynamics
• Previous management experience required
• Capable of being a strong motivator and source of direction for your team and role modelling commitment to your team's goals
• Have a people-oriented mentality and be able to build meaningful relationships with senior leadership on your team and in other departments
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and / or issues clearly and confidently, and recognize and adapt to different communication techniques
• Be able to analyze and understand a situation or problem and think critically to make decisions, come up with and evaluate unique solutions, and see those solutions through to completion
• Be independent and self-motivated and demonstrate a high degree of creativity, flexibility, and resourcefulness
• Have a strong sense of urgency in driving projects to completion and be motivated to achieve outcomes and results
• Can thrive in a dynamic environment and efficiently manage multiple or complex projects while continuously looking for new and enhanced ways of doing things

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table :

• Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering or related scientific field
• Experience leading projects or teams in either a software development or operations environment

We'll Also Need You To :

• Be on call to support operations when necessary
• Be able to travel when necessary
• Be able to work rotating 12 hour shifts if and when necessary
• Be a U.S. citizen

Work Environment :

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer.

The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse and printer. For in person meetings, this position will need to be able stand, walk within the office and climb stairs on occasion.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran.

EOE of Minorities / Females / Vets / Disability and other protected categories.