Senior Mission Manager

Hybrid in Portugal·Added 5 months ago

This job was published 5 months ago

Open Cosmos

38 open roles

Overview

Job details

  • Hybrid

    Office and home days — the ad has the split.

Requirements

  • Be near Portugal for hybrid days

    No relocation package mentioned.

  • Have senior-level experience

    Senior-level role.

Pay & benefits

Visa & relocation

To apply, you must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.

Requirements

What we're looking for

  • Strong grasp of project delivery in complex, multidisciplinary environments, ideally within space or high-reliability engineering

  • Solid understanding of satellite systems, payloads, or mission operations

  • Ability to balance scope, schedule, cost, and risk across multiple parallel workstreams

  • Confidence navigating ambiguity and making informed decisions in fast-moving, high-stakes environments

  • Skilled at stakeholder management, able to influence, align, and manage competing priorities

  • Commercial awareness, including contracts, supplier coordination, and delivery frameworks

  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance considerations in the space ecosystem

  • Clear, structured communication, able to simplify complexity for different audiences

  • Comfortable using project management tools (e.g. MS Project, Jira, or similar)

  • A proactive mindset, spotting risks early and acting before they become issues

  • A collaborative approach, building strong relationships across teams, locations, and partners

  • Resilience and adaptability, staying focused and effective under pressure

The role

What you'll do

You'll be:

  • Owning the full mission lifecycle - from initial requirements through to launch and in-orbit commissioning

  • Translating complex mission concepts into clear, executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets

  • Leading multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, AIT, manufacturing, supply chain, and mission operations

  • Acting as the main point of contact for customers, partners, and stakeholders - building trust and maintaining alignment

  • Managing expectations through clear communication, structured reporting, and proactive risk management

  • Overseeing the integration of mission elements including launch services, ground segment, and regulatory approvals

  • Ensuring missions meet technical, contractual, and regulatory requirements at every stage

  • Identifying risks early and driving mitigation and recovery plans to keep delivery on track

  • Supporting continuous improvement of how we deliver missions as we scale

  • Mentoring and guiding other mission managers, helping raise the bar across the team

  • Contributing to proposals, mission planning, and cost modelling to support future growth

description

Aim high, go beyond!

At Open Cosmos we are solving the world's biggest challenges from space, providing businesses, governments and researchers access to more readily available information than ever before - ready for the challenge? Then read on...

Working in our Chief Operating Office (COO)

Our COO Teams are the engine that powers Open Cosmos' operations. This division brings together mission management, supply chain, and quality & product assurance to make sure every mission is delivered smoothly, reliably, and to the highest standards.

Our Mission Management team is at the heart of delivering Open Cosmos' space mission services. Acting as the bridge between our technology teams, customers, partners, and suppliers, they make sure every mission runs smoothly - from planning and coordination through to launch and operations. It's a dynamic, collaborative team that turns complex requirements into successful missions.

What will you be doing?

As a Senior Mission Manager, you'll take ownership of some of our most ambitious and technically complex missions. From early concept through to launch and in-orbit operations, you'll be the person bringing it all together, aligning teams, navigating complexity, and ensuring delivery that meets the highest standards.

What You'll bring

For this role you can be based in any of our locations.

Please submit your application in English.

Why Open Cosmos?

  • Work at the cutting edge of space technology with customers around the globe

  • A mission-driven company making space accessible to help solve real-world challenges

  • A diverse, ambitious, and supportive team

About Open Cosmos

Open Cosmos is a space technology company that designs, builds, and operates satellites and space missions. The company provides end-to-end solutions for space missions, from satellite design and manufacturing to launch and operations, serving clients in the Earth observation and communications sectors. They are known for their 'smallsat' missions and their focus on making space more accessible and affordable.

Open Cosmos has a growing presence in Spain, with offices in Barcelona and a team of engineers and scientists working on various space projects. The company's work culture is international and collaborative, with English as the working language, making it an attractive destination for international professionals. They offer a range of roles from engineering to operations, and their Spain-based positions are part of a global effort to advance space technology.

Industry
Space Tech
Founded
2015
Employees
100–250
Headquarters
Harwell, UK
All open roles at Open Cosmos
WhatsApp