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Lead Mission Director

Our client is seeking a highly accomplished Mission Operations professional to lead the planning and execution of complex spaceflight and exploration missions. This strategic leadership position will oversee mission operations teams, drive operational readiness, manage mission risk, and support critical decision-making throughout all phases of mission delivery.

The role offers a rare opportunity to contribute to the advancement of next-generation exploration programmes while working alongside leading experts across engineering, operations, and programme management disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead mission planning, preparation, and execution activities for high-profile spaceflight and exploration missions.
  • Make critical real-time operational decisions to ensure mission success, asset protection, and personnel safety during active mission operations.
  • Direct multidisciplinary flight operations teams, managing mission risks and resolving operational challenges before and during mission execution.
  • Serve as the primary mission operations interface between engineering, programme management, integration and test teams, and external stakeholders.
  • Develop, evaluate, and refine mission objectives in alignment with programme requirements and operational constraints.
  • Create and execute detailed mission and flight plans to support programme objectives.
  • Develop and maintain operational rules, procedures, and governance frameworks to ensure safe mission execution.
  • Coordinate mission planning activities across internal teams, partner organisations, customers, and regulatory stakeholders.
  • Lead contingency planning and operational response activities to resolve system anomalies and restore nominal mission operations.
  • Drive continuous improvement of mission operations processes, procedures, and team performance.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physical Sciences, or a related technical discipline.
  • Minimum 15 years' experience in spaceflight mission operations, aerospace operations, or a closely related field.
  • Demonstrated leadership experience in mission planning, operations management, systems integration, and real-time operational decision-making.
  • Strong understanding of spacecraft systems, mission design, flight operations, and operational risk management.
  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams in complex, fast-paced environments.
  • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
  • Experience developing operational procedures, mission rules, training programmes, and execution frameworks.
  • Willingness to support mission operations outside standard business hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays when required.
  • Eligibility to work within regulated aerospace and defence environments.

Desirable Experience

  • Previous experience as a Mission Director, Flight Director, Operations Lead, or equivalent senior mission operations role.
  • Experience supporting crewed or uncrewed spaceflight missions.
  • Knowledge of spacecraft development, testing, integration, launch operations, orbital mechanics, or ground systems.
  • Experience working with government agencies, commercial space organisations, or international partners.
  • Strong technical writing and operational documentation skills.
  • Experience leading complex technical programmes involving multiple stakeholders and integrated systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to simplify complex technical challenges and communicate solutions effectively across diverse audiences.

This position offers a unique opportunity to play a leading role in the future of human and robotic space exploration, contributing directly to groundbreaking missions while working alongside world-class engineering and operations teams. The role is ideally suited to an accomplished mission operations professional seeking to make a lasting impact on the next generation of spaceflight capabilities.