Senior Satellite Operations Engineer

About the role

Orbitworks is looking for a Senior Satellite Operations Engineer in Abu Dhabi to contribute to the development, automation and operation of its satellite programs. This is a hands-on satellite operations role combined with software development and systems engineering, covering the full stack from design to orbit.

Key responsibilities

• Execute satellite operations, including taking part in the on-call rotation as Satellite Controller/Flight Director.
• Configure and set up program tools such as procedures, dashboards, subschedules, resolvers and auto-pilot plans.
• Configure systems for commissioning and nominal operations, and handle anomalies to maintain space infrastructure performance.
• Develop automation for ground and space-based operations, and script mission performance and cockpit configurations, preferably in Python.
• Validate and verify tools used in satellite operations, and support test campaigns before and during launch.
• Apply the Test as We Fly methodology to mission-critical systems, understand customer CONOPS, and interface with customers before and during mission deployment.

Required profile

• Strong background in satellite operations and complex systems management.
• Willingness to train as a Satellite Controller/Flight Director, including commissioning and on-call rotation.
• Proven software development experience with strong automation skills.
• Ability to work across the full hardware/software stack (ground-based, space-based and interface systems).
• Pragmatic mindset, high accountability and autonomy, and openness to learning in a fast-paced environment.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Python and Git.
• Scripting experience for automation and mission operations.
• Nice to have: experience with Airbus Arrow-150 bus satellites, LEO operations and constellations, customer interaction, satellite testing and AIT, and Arabic.