Mission Manager at Ephemeris Net, Inc – El Segundo, California

About Ephemeris Net

We are extending the internet to space.

Ephemeris Net is a pre-seed space networking company on a mission to provide space connectivity for all through collaborative engineering of commercial space networking solutions. We are creating the infrastructure that will enable the space internet beyond bent pipe—starting with foundational networking infrastructure that will define how data moves through space.

We are supported by our parent incubator SOE, preparing to launch our first payload that will demonstrate a space-based router in Q1 2027. While our work will be incremental, we believe that now is the chance to build foundational infrastructure for how the internet will work in space within the next 5 years.

The role

We are looking for a Mission Manager to own program execution at Ephemeris Net. Our programs serve both internal objectives and external customers under contract. You will be responsible for ensuring every program delivers on time, on budget, and in full compliance with customer and partner commitments while also staying aligned with our company’s north star.

As the mission manager, you are the connective tissue between all internal teams and the mission’s customers. You will maintain the mission schedule, source launch rides, track supplier deliverables, and proactively identify and resolve risks before they become blockers. In many ways, you are the heartbeat of the launch cycle, and therefore the company. You need the technical depth to understand the systems and to hold meaningful conversations with engineers, partners, and customers. Most importantly you need to be able to communicate with and coordinate a diverse stakeholder set.

As the mission manager, you will gather input broadly from those with relevant expertise, but the final call on mission decisions and accountability rests with you.

This role will report to the CTO and founder, Nicolas Brown.

Key responsibilities

Customer & Stakeholder Management

Serve as the primary programmatic interface between customers, partners, and internal product stakeholders Translate customer needs into internal objectives and hold the engineering team accountable to delivering against them Run customer reviews, technical interchange meetings, and status updates Plan and execute customer site visits, demonstrations, and technical exchanges

Program Execution & Mission Readiness

Own and maintain the mission schedule across all active programs Manage contract milestones, payment schedules, and supplier deliverables. Identify risks early and drive resolution before they become blockers Coordinate interface control documentation between Ephemeris systems and supplier hardware Define and verify programmatic prerequisites for mission milestones (PDR, CDR, FRR); coordinate qualification and test schedules Source and secure and ride launch: manage rideshare procurement, launch service agreements, and integration schedules Drive launch campaign planning and execution Ensure all customer and regulatory documentation is complete and approved

Process & Documentation

Build program management at Ephemeris Net from scratch. We are a written culture: decisions, rationale, and status get documented. You’ll create the frameworks we run on. Document lessons learned and establish playbooks for future missions

What we're looking for

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a technical or organization field (or equivalent experience) 4+ years of program or mission management experience in the space industry Direct experience as a mission manager or equivalent role on at least one space mission that reached launch Strong technical understanding of spacecraft systems, launch vehicles, or space networking/communications hardware Ability to obtain and maintain a US security clearance Preferred QualificationsDirect experience managing supplier relationships and deliverables Mission scheduling experience Active security clearance

What we offer

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $190,000 - $250,000, based on experience Generous equity package (early hire equity) Comprehensive health care coverage Unlimited PTO (we expect you to take at least 4 weeks per year, and leadership does the same)

Work Environment

Hybrid work model: 3 days per week in our office/lab based on project needs During critical phases: When we are in integration, test, or launch prep mode, expect to be in the office more frequently for coordination with the mission team Expected travel: Up to 25% (customer meetings, supplier visits, launch campaign, partner sites, integration sites, other Ephemeris offices) Small team environment Autonomy and space to define how we work and execute

The Opportunity

Define how we run future programs: You’re not inheriting a process. You’re building mission management at Ephemeris Net from the ground up. Fast, real impact: You will launch in <18 months. Build the space internet: Work on technology that will fundamentally change how space networks operate.

Our Vision and Values

Ephemeris Net's vision is to enable an open, space internet that anyone can utilize and access.

We believe that access to better digital connectivity is essential for human progress and that space is the frontier of digital connectivity. We believe that collaboration within market competition is the most effective way to expand the internet into space. Using Ephemeris Net to build space network solutions is how we can proliferate digital connectivity, collaboration, and "the raising of all boats" while achieving a commercial impact.

We care deeply about:

Access to connectivity for all Collaboration that raises all boats; we focus on win/win deals Commercial impact: building solutions people value and buy Personal growth and creating a place where people build their careers Putting good out into the world through the work we do and our interactions with each other

We are building a company people feel great about working at. We are seeking people who are open and actively seeking growth - both technical and personal. We value honesty, creativity, and a culture of ownership.

About our locations

El Segundo, CA: Located in the heart of the aerospace industry, surrounded by SpaceX, Aerospace Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and hundreds of space startups. A unique ecosystem where strangers on the street are excited about space.

Oakland, CA: Right off BART. Close collaboration opportunities with UC Berkeley and the broader Bay Area networking and space research communities.

Ephemeris Net is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.