Engineer II, Ground System Operator

If you are a science and space enthusiast who is excited about working on cutting-edge technology and with a talented team of professionals, then you will be excited about the Ground System Operator II opening with Iridium for a Space Development Agency (SDA) project. As a Ground System Operator II, you will participate in monitoring and controlling ground systems at one of the SDA Operations Centers. You will work 12-hour shifts with a team in a 24/7, multi-satellite operations environment. You will thrive in this role if you have a desire to learn and execute new technical skills and are highly motivated and passionate about engineering and space systems.

This position requires an active/current Secret Security Clearance (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active).

Perform real-time monitoring of the ground system in support of the SDA mission

Analyze operational data and execute first level troubleshooting to resolve issues

Support data-driven investigations and troubleshooting of software and system logs

Monitor spacecraft fleet-level health and status

Work collaboratively with the team to detect and recover from issues within the Iridium ground system applications, and for a global network of remote teleport antennas and Wide Area Network (WAN)

Assist in validating fixes and confirming system stability following recovery actions

Support real-time anomaly investigation and resolution and follow established Fault Escalation policies and procedures

Participate in deeper technical analysis of anomalies and contribute operational insight to factory teams

Support process improvement initiatives by properly documenting all events through an anomaly and issue reporting process

Create accurate, timely, and descriptive event logging for all ground system outages or system events

Participate in testing and evaluating new software releases, patches, and configuration changes prior to operational rollout

Execute operational test cases and provide structured feedback to developers and system engineers

Assist with rollout activities for new tools, capabilities, or ground system applications, including integration checks and post-deployment monitoring

Help develop and refine updated procedures, troubleshooting documentation, and operational best practices for newly introduced capabilities

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field OR equivalent relevant experience in a network operations or spacecraft operations environment in lieu of degree

2+ years of related engineering experience

Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly present information and ideas to others

Have confidence and be able to easily build meaningful relationships with your manager and members of your team

Must be able to prioritize your tasks, be self-aware enough to identify and correct your mistakes, and not be afraid to ask for help when needed

Be active in seeking out ways to improve yourself and gain new knowledge, and be enthusiastic in sharing knowledge with others

Interest or experience in technical troubleshooting, software testing, or scripting to support evolving operational tools is beneficial

Proficiency in the LINUX operating system, as well as standard PC usage and applications

Familiarity with software development and programming skills

Exposure to system test environments, automation tools, or telemetry analysis techniques is a plus

Work 12-hour shifts

Be a U.S. citizen

This position primarily works in an office setting and is largely sedentary with the majority of the position working with a computer. The role typically requires the use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

We believe in-person connection drives innovation, strengthens mentorship, and builds culture, while flexibility enables employees to do their best work. Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least four days per week (approximately 80%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth.

Additional Information

This job description outlines the general nature and level of work for this role and is not a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Employees may be assigned additional responsibilities as needed.

Base Pay Range: $75,000 - $95,000 USD

Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors and this range represents an estimate of compensation at the time of posting. Base salary is only one part of our compensation package for this role. You may also be eligible for company stock and annual bonus. Employee benefits also include medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage; 401(k) retirement plan options; paid time off and paid holidays; paid parental leave; and other discounts and perks.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.