What are the responsibilities and job description for the Satellite Operator position at Katalyst Space Technologies?
Katalyst Description
At Katalyst, we see human expansion into space not as a distant future, but as a present reality. As this growth accelerates, the need for advanced, reliable spacecraft has never been more critical. We are standing at this forefront specializing in rendezvous and proximity operations creating spacecraft that can reconfigure, refuel, inspect and protect satellites on orbit rapidly, routinely, and regularly. In order to accomplish our mission, we also process data from a network of space-based sensors, both existing and deployable upgrades, using state of the art machine learning and advanced orbital dynamic filtering algorithms to increase space domain awareness, becoming the eyes and ears on orbit.
You might be a great fit for our team if you want to:
We’re looking for a Satellite Operator who will take ownership of day-to-day mission operations, ensuring spacecraft health, safety, and performance in orbit. You’ll monitor telemetry, execute commands, operate ground station systems, and respond to anomalies to safeguard mission success.
This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a 24/7 operations environment, is resourceful under pressure, and is excited to be at the forefront of space operations.
Key Responsibilities
Required:
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Compensation And Benefits
Anticipated salary range for this role is $95,000 - $140,000
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
At Katalyst, we see human expansion into space not as a distant future, but as a present reality. As this growth accelerates, the need for advanced, reliable spacecraft has never been more critical. We are standing at this forefront specializing in rendezvous and proximity operations creating spacecraft that can reconfigure, refuel, inspect and protect satellites on orbit rapidly, routinely, and regularly. In order to accomplish our mission, we also process data from a network of space-based sensors, both existing and deployable upgrades, using state of the art machine learning and advanced orbital dynamic filtering algorithms to increase space domain awareness, becoming the eyes and ears on orbit.
You might be a great fit for our team if you want to:
- Accelerate your growth—skip the corporate ladder and forge your own path.
- Embrace challenges and ambiguity; both failure and success are steps to solutions.
- Tackle the toughest problems in the space industry and reshape its future, working side by side on a team that’s bought into the mission.
We’re looking for a Satellite Operator who will take ownership of day-to-day mission operations, ensuring spacecraft health, safety, and performance in orbit. You’ll monitor telemetry, execute commands, operate ground station systems, and respond to anomalies to safeguard mission success.
This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a 24/7 operations environment, is resourceful under pressure, and is excited to be at the forefront of space operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor spacecraft telemetry and subsystem health (power, communications, attitude/orbit control, propulsion).
- Execute satellite commanding, including payload tasking, orbit maneuvers, and station-keeping operations.
- Operate and monitor ground station systems, including RF equipment, antennas, and communication links.
- Diagnose and respond to anomalies, coordinating with engineering teams to implement recovery procedures.
- Develop, review, and maintain operational procedures, checklists, and contingency plans.
- Maintain accurate logs, reports, and documentation of all satellite activities.
- Support mission planning and scheduling of contacts, downlinks, and system maintenance.
- Participate in rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and on-call availability.
- Ensure adherence to safety, security, and regulatory standards in all mission operations.
- Support flatsat testing and mission rehearsals to validate command sequences, fault responses, and end-to-end operational readiness.
- Collaborate with the software team to define, validate, and refine spacecraft telemetry points and data flows, ensuring effective monitoring and fault detection.
- Work with the broader Katalyst organization and customer teams to co-develop operational procedures, flight rules, and contingency playbooks.
- Contribute to operator training programs, providing input on lesson plans, simulations, and knowledge capture for sustained mission readiness.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related technical field (or equivalent experience).
- 2 years of experience in satellite operations, ground station operations, or similar mission-critical environment.
- Familiarity with spacecraft subsystems, TT&C, and telemetry analysis.
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills under time-critical conditions.
- Ability to work rotating shifts in a 24/7 operations setting.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills.
- Previous experience supporting LEO or GEO missions in government, defense, or commercial sectors.
- Knowledge of orbital mechanics and mission planning.
- Hands-on experience with RF systems, antennas, or ground station systems.
- Proficiency with scripting and automation tools (Python or similar).
- Active security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
- Experience supporting multi-satellite constellations or large-scale operations.
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
Compensation And Benefits
Anticipated salary range for this role is $95,000 - $140,000
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.
At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Salary : $95,000 - $140,000
