Mission Manager

Launcher is a Vast company that develops Orbiter (Space tug and hosted payload platform) and the E-2 liquid rocket engine. 

Responsibilities:

• Control all aspects of a given Vast mission, and be ultimately responsible for end-to-end mission success.
• Be able to support multiple customers per launch and multiple concurrent launch programs.
• Understand and apply your technical background to the benefit of the mission and be adept at working and solving technical issues on a near daily basis.
• Lead new technical projects from contract signature through mission completion.
• Work with the customer to mitigate and resolve technical and programmatic issues that arise with a success oriented approach and passion for resolution.
• Interface with internal engineering, management, and production teams to ensure on-time execution of the mission while meeting all customer requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering and production groups to understand vehicle readiness and how changes impact requirements, vehicle risk, and launch dates.
• Work with Supply Chain and Engineering to procure mission specific hardware.
• Work closely with Business Development to support proposal generation and coordinate mission activities with overall business activities in a sales engineer role.
• Manage the customer and third parties as needed on contractual and technical issues through the course of the programs. 
• Provide a positive image of Launcher to the customer and the industry at all times.
• Approximately 15% travel commitment.

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree in Engineering or Science.
• Minimum of 3 years professional relevant working experience in the Aerospace industry preferable hands-on with hardware or software technical projects.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• MS degree in Engineering or Science.
• Professional experience working with launch vehicles and small satellites.
• In-depth knowledge of the CubeSat design reference and small spacecraft launch interfaces.
• Excellent technical writing skills especially involving multi-party interface specifications.
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
• Highly detail-oriented and experience working with cross-functional teams and external customers.
• Passion for small satellites as well as advancing the commercial space industry.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and demanding start-up atmosphere.
• Ability to thrive as a ‘one-person team’.
• Excellent communication skills to deal with the customer at the technical and management level as well as our internal engineering and production team.
• Available to work extended hours and/or weekends as needed to support critical milestones or operations shifts as the mission requires.
• Willing to travel to launch sites, test sites, and customer locations throughout the United States and abroad as needed.
• Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.