Mission Operations Lead

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.

What We're Looking For:

If you have 12+ years' experience in satellite mission management then you will be excited about the Mission Operations Lead opening with Iridium in support of a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As the Mission Operations Lead, you'll be responsible for maintaining enterprise-level situational awareness of the constellation and ensuring that mission objectives drive operational priorities across all locations. In this role, you will focus primarily on integrating new satellites, payloads, and capabilities into existing operations, ensuring constellation growth aligns with long-term mission success. You will succeed in this role if you can anticipate emerging operational needs, collaborate across technical and leadership teams, and translate mission priorities into effective operational plans and readiness.

This position requires an active/current Top-Secret/SCI Security Clearance. A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

What You'll Do:

• Serve as the mission's operational focal point, integrating data, insights, and feedback from Operations, Engineering, Mission Planning, and stakeholders to maintain a clear understanding of constellation health, performance, and readiness
• Maintain continuous situational awareness of all satellites, payloads, and ground systems, ensuring mission priorities drive operational decision-making
• Translate mission objectives into operational directives, ensuring teams have the resources, processes, and readiness to meet evolving capability needs
• Collaborate with senior leadership to plan for constellation growth - incorporating new satellites, payloads, and mission capabilities into operational roadmaps
• Lead operational readiness reviews for new capabilities, assessing mission impact and ensuring seamless integration with existing assets
• Partner with cross-functional teams to synchronize mission execution across all locations
• Establish and maintain processes, procedures, and checklists that align operational execution with mission success criteria
• Support lifecycle sustainment planning for enterprise and mission services to ensure long-term capability availability
• Participate in technical exchange meetings, stakeholder forums, and working groups to represent mission needs and advocate for operational requirements
• Support 24/7 on-call escalation for mission-impacting issues, coordinating resolution with the appropriate teams
• Assist in recruiting, interviewing, and selection of mission and operations personnel for the SDA Operation Centers

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical discipline OR equivalent training and experience in lieu of degree
• 12+ years of relevant experience managing/operating ground station operations centers or equivalent mission management experience
• Proven ability to connect operational actions to overarching mission goals and priorities
• Effective Microsoft Office skills
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and/or issues clearly and confidently, and confidently recognize and adapt to different communication techniques
• Be a strategic thinker who demonstrates good judgment and decisiveness
• Be able to analyze a situation or problem and come up with effective solutions
• Can easily form relationships with executive leadership and encourage cross-functional team building
• The ability to thrive in a dynamic environment by handling multiple tasks according to deadline and budget limitations
• Be proactive in finding new and enhanced ways of doing things and sharing your knowledge with others

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

• Extensive knowledge of satellite or ground operations
• Military/government experience in satellite and/or ground operations

We'll also need you to:

• Support occasional travel (less than 25% of the time)
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Work Environment:

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.