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Open Cosmos is a space technology company solving global challenges by providing businesses, governments, and researchers with accessible information from space. The company's Chief Operating Office (COO) division brings together mission management, supply chain, and quality & product assurance to deliver space missions smoothly and reliably.
As a Senior Mission Manager, you will own some of Open Cosmos' most ambitious and technically complex space missions from concept through launch and in-orbit operations. You will serve as the bridge between technology teams, customers, partners, and suppliers, ensuring every mission runs smoothly and meets the highest standards.
Key responsibilities include:
- Owning the full mission lifecycle from initial requirements through launch and in-orbit commissioning
- Translating complex mission concepts into clear, executable plans across timelines, resources, and budgets
- Leading multidisciplinary teams across systems engineering, assembly/integration/test (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 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
- Supporting continuous improvement of mission delivery processes as the company scales
- Mentoring and guiding other mission managers
- Contributing to proposals, mission planning, and cost modeling for future growth
You will be based in one of three locations: Coimbra (Portugal), Athens (Greece), or Harwell (UK). You must have the legal right to work in your chosen location.
REQUIREMENTS:
- 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)
- Proactive mindset, spotting risks early and acting before they become issues
- Collaborative approach, building strong relationships across teams, locations, and partners
- Resilience and adaptability, staying focused and effective under pressure
