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Senior Satellite Operations Engineer

Capella


Job Location:

Louisville, KY - USA

Monthly Salary: $ 145920 - 191047
Posted: 3 June 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy
The job posting is outdated and position may be filled

Job Summary

Location: This role is based onsite at our office in Louisville CO with the option to work a few days a week remotely.
Travel:
Up to 5%
Job ID:
572

About Capella

Capella an IonQ company spans national security advanced sensing and next-generation compute to deliver secure mission-ready intelligence. Capellas culture is built on collaboration rigorous engineering and a shared commitment to delivering solutions that strengthen global stability and security. Team members work side-by-side with some of the most innovative minds in space systems quantum-enabled technologies and mission-critical operations.

Capella values curiosity resilience and a willingness to tackle hard problems with precision and creativity. Capella welcomes and encourages applicants whose perspectives are historically underrepresented in technology national security and aerospace. No prior space experience is required. Diverse viewpoints strengthen Capellas ability to innovate and deliver meaningful impact for partners worldwide.

The Role

Capella is looking for a Satellite Operations Engineer to join our close-knit team of spacecraft operators! In this role you will own the full operational life-cycle: from designing mission operations and executing high-stakes commissioning campaigns to maintaining fleet health and leading on-orbit anomaly response.

As a vital member of our Satellite Operations Team you will drive the reliability and autonomy of our expanding SAR constellation as well as upcoming special projects and demonstrations. If you thrive on solving complex problems in a fast-paced environment and want to have a direct hand in the success of a growing fleet we want you at Capella.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the launch and commissioning of new satellites for autonomous operations
  • Perform spacecraft analysis maintenance and anomaly response
  • Develop and automate operational procedures and tools
  • Test and deploy satellite software updates
  • Support the execution of special projects and demonstrations
  • Participate in a team rotation to be the on-call first responder for spacecraft anomalies
  • Interface with other teams to develop and maintain a highly autonomous spacecraft operations system

Qualifications

  • Bachelors or Masters degree in Aerospace Engineering Mathematics Computer Science Physics or a related technical field
  • 4 years of relevant work experience
  • Proficiency in Python for data analysis and automation
  • Familiarity with all of the following disciplines and significant experience with at least one:
    • Astrodynamics
    • Guidance Navigation and Control
    • Electrical Engineering
    • Communications Systems
    • Thermal Engineering
    • Embedded Software
    • Propulsion
  • Experience with Git or other version control systems

Soft Skills

  • Strong ability to communicate and collaborate within a team environment
  • Comfortable dealing with unknowns quantifying risk addressing uncertainty and handling the pressure of a real-time operating environment
  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Required Qualification

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Capella Employees must be a U.S. citizen lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e. current Green Card holder) or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.

Compensation

The approximate base salary range for this position is$145920 - $ total compensation package includes base bonus equity and a range of benefit options found on our career site. Compensation will vary based on individual factors such as education qualifications and experience of the final candidate(s) specific office location and calibration against relevant market data and internal team base salary figures are subject to change as new market data becomes available.

Benefits/Perks

In addition to an opportunity to take part in an innovative collaborative and fast-growing business with a highly motivated and skilled team we also take pride in taking care of our employees. Here are just a few ways that we show our appreciation:

  • We provide extensive medical coverage including strong vision and dental plans flexible spending accounts and additional supplemental health options.
  • Paid Flexible Time Off Policy
  • 401(k) Plan with Company Match to help you invest in your long-term retirement goals
  • Parental Leave program
  • Employer sponsored Lifestyle Spending Account
  • Commuter & Parking Benefits
  • Mental Health Resources
  • Monthly Phone Stipend
  • Furry friends Weve got you covered with dog-friendly work environment & them with pet insurance options

Equal Opportunity Statement

AtIonQ we believe in fair treatment access opportunity and advancement for all and we strive toidentifyandeliminatebarriers. We empower employees to thrive by fostering a culture of autonomy productivity and respect. We are dedicated to creating an environment where individuals can feel welcomed respected supported and valued.

We are committed to equity and justice. We welcome different voices and viewpoints and do not discriminate on the basis of race religion ancestry physical and/or mental disability medical condition genetic information marital status sex gender gender identity gender expression transgender status age sexual orientation military or veteran status or any other basis protected by law. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.If you need assistance or require an accommodation during the job application process please notify

To learn more about us explore our site: and follow us on X and LinkedIn to see our SAR imagery!


Required Experience:

Senior IC


About Company

Company Logo

Leaders in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Step into a new era of Earth observation technology. Our advanced SAR satellites, designed and manufactured in the USA, provide unparalleled access to data at any time and in any weather conditions. Explore our Data Timely & High Quality SAR D ... View more

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