Senior Mission Operations Engineer (Test-focused)

ispace, inc. is looking for Senior Mission Operations Engineer (test-focused) to join our growing team.

The Mission Test and Operations team is the heart of mission execution, where we prove readiness on the ground before ever stepping on console. As a Senior Mission Operations Engineer, you will be the bridge between the worlds of system testing and real-time operations.

In this role you will drive a “Test-As-You-Fly” philosophy to ensure that our tests are truly representative of our operations. You will also have the opportunity to follow the mission lifecycle to touchdown by conducting the test campaign, leveraging the results to mitigate operational risk, and ultimately commanding those same procedures from the Mission Control Center as we transit to the Moon.

Why This Role Matters

By planning and executing flight-like tests on the ground, you will:

• Bridge the gap between engineering design and flight operations, ensuring that the spacecraft is flown as it was tested
• Ensure the safety and quality of flight products before they are used to reach critical milestones in space
• Become an integral part of proving operational readiness and reaching critical mission milestones

Key Responsibilities

Test Ideation

• Collaborate with the Assembly Integration & Test, Systems, Ground, and Operations teams to define the system test campaign
• Ensure that mission scenarios defined in the operations concept are translated into representative tests
• Propose and implement novel open- or closed-loop tests to characterized spacecraft behavior under nominal and off-nominal conditions

Simulation and Test Execution

• Work alongside the Ground Systems team to architect and optimize the avionics testbench for flight-like testing
• Contribute to the creation of test specifications, procedures, and reports that serve as a record of spacecraft readiness
• Direct the execution of rigorous software and hardware system test campaigns
• Close the Verification and Validation (V&V) loop by high-level requirements to empirical test results and data

Flight Operations

• Develop flight procedures (procedures, displays, checklists) used in both test and operations
• Align the training, rehearsal, and system verification test campaigns by working closely with Mission Directors
• Operate the spacecraft on-console in a fast paced environment to execute a lunar mission from the Mission Control Center

Qualifications

• Language: Professional Level English (ability write and verbalize complex technical concepts); Japanese language ability is a plus but not required
• Experience: 5+ years of experience with proven track record executing complex test campaigns and/or operations
• Hardware/Software Fluency: Experience working with avionics testbenches, hardware-in-the-loop infrastructure, or mixed hardware-software configurations
• Documentation: Demonstrated proficiency in writing detailed test specifications and reports for mission or project critical systems

Preferred skills

• Familiarity with Mission Control Software (Yamcs, Grafana, SFTP etc.)
• Proficiency in software configuration control tools (Git, Gitlab) and scripting test automation (Python)
• Experience with component level testing, System Verification Tests (SVT), Day-in-the-life (DITL) testing, or pre-launch verification
• Background in lunar, deep-space, or planetary missions, particularly in the verification and operations phases

We will prioritize candidates currently in Japan with valid working visa.

For overseas candidates, please note that you choose to proceed, this role requires relocation to Japan upon acceptance of the position. Compensation will be provided in JPY and aligned with local market benchmarks in Japan, based on the role’s level, scope, and prevailing industry standards.