SlipstreamJobs tracks this role from the company's public career site. Apply directly on the employer's site.
Salary: USD 65,000 - 85,000 / annual
Near Space Labs is building the next generation of Earth imaging using proprietary stratospheric balloons called Swiftys. The company designs, builds, and operates a fleet of these high-altitude aircraft to deliver updated, high-quality imagery of Earth.
As a Mission Planner & Controller, you will be a core member of the Flight Operations team, responsible for planning and executing stratospheric balloon missions across the United States. You will work remotely but support nationwide operations, collaborating closely with field teams, senior mission planners, and internal stakeholders.
Key responsibilities include:
- Planning and executing flight trajectories using internal and external software tools
- Acting as the in-flight operator for Swifty missions, monitoring multiple concurrent flights in real time and making critical decisions on launch timing, in-flight adjustments, and safe recovery
- Evaluating weather conditions and making go/no-go launch decisions based on optimal flight and imaging conditions
- Coordinating with FAA Air Traffic Control, ARTCCs, approach controls, and local towers to maintain airspace compliance and safety
- Entering accurate flight performance data into tracking systems daily
- Conducting thorough shift handoffs to maintain 7-day-a-week operational continuity
- Generating failure reports for in-flight malfunctions and abnormalities
- Contributing to continuous improvement of Mission Control and Flight Operations processes
- Assisting with training and onboarding of new team members as the organization grows
- Collaborating with engineering on future technologies related to regulation, airspace, and flight planning software
- Adapting to changing priorities and supporting emergency response planning as needed
This is a full-time position with a variable 5-days-on, 2-days-off rotation that includes weekends and holidays to support continuous operations. Shift times vary across US time zones to cover active flight windows nationwide. While day-to-day work is fully remote, new hires must travel for up to one week of in-person training and onboarding during their first week. Occasional travel (<10%) may be required with advance notice.
