Flight Controller III (Mission Support Specialist)

Job Summary

The Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) is seeking a highly skilled Flight Controller III (Mission Support Specialist) to support NASA and commercial spacecraft operations across a diverse portfolio of scientific missions. LASP operates small satellites, hosted payloads, and large flagship missions spanning Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Solar Physics, Earth Atmosphere, and Climate research. As a Flight Controller III, you will provide technical leadership in health and safety monitoring, mission planning, real-time commanding, and detailed subsystem analysis. You will collaborate with scientists, engineers, operators, and software developers to design, test, and execute mission operations from integration and test through end-of-mission. This is a mid-to senior-level role in which you are expected to support anomaly investigations, design operational tests, mentor team members, and serve in mission specialist roles. You will contribute directly to the success of current missions and help shape operational strategies for future programs.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Operations & Mission Execution

• Lead flight software acceptance testing team
• Lead detailed subsystem analysis and produce technical recommendations.
• Conduct real-time commanding and monitoring of spacecraft and instruments.
• Lead troubleshooting and recovery efforts during mission anomalies.
• Perform complex programming tasks in automation, analysis, and scripting.

Training, Mentoring & Documentation

• Assist with training and certifying student command controllers.
• Provide training and mentorship to newer Flight Controllers.
• Create and maintain mission-level documentation and approve tactical updates.
• Develop and enforce standard operating procedures for on-call response.

Mission Planning, Testing & Systems Support

• Lead strategic mission planning in support of flight operations.
• Perform mission specialist roles (e.g., lead planner, subsystem specialist, dynamics lead).
• Contribute to the development and verification of requirements.
• Design and execute functional tests on mission testbeds.
• Support code walkthroughs, commissioning activities, and systems verification.
• Lead the development of ground systems supporting hosted payload programs.
• Serve as a Phase E Flight Director for small missions or instruments.

Organizational Support

• Support broader strategic initiatives that advance LASP's capabilities.
• Collaborate across teams to enhance operations concepts and methodologies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by mission leadership.