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Mission Operations Engineer (Entry-Level) - Millennium Space Systems

Boeing · Chantilly, VA

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Level
Engineer
Team
Production
Base pay
$66k–$117k
Degree
Required
Industry
Aerospace & defense
Posted
Yesterday

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level production role at Boeing (aerospace & defense) in Chantilly, VA.

They ask for
degree required
Tools it names
Automation
Base pay
$66k–$117k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Production Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $120k–$170k. This one lists $66k–$117k.

Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 27 production engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 26 other live production postings in Virginia.

Base pay
About 37% below similar roles

Typical $120k–$170k, from 8 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
Not stated

Similar roles usually ask 10+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • Team leadership 56%
  • ✓ New product launch 37%
  • Lean 30%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverage

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Boeing

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  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

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  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

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  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

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Full description from BoeingAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Summary

As a Mission Operations Engineer, you will be the lead technical authority for Millennium’s on-orbit spacecraft. Your work will encompass the entire spacecraft mission life cycle, from the proposal phase to spacecraft and mission design, through space vehicle integration and test, and culminating with launch and on-orbit operations. You will be responsible for all facets of the mission design, including definition of operational concepts, development of on-orbit procedures, and innovation of advanced methods of spacecraft operation unique to each space mission. Mission Operations requires composure in high-pressure situations, in-depth knowledge of both the space vehicles and ground segment, and an ability to respond to anomalous scenarios in real-time. You will be directly responsible for Millennium’s critical on-orbit assets.

This position’s internal job code is Systems Engineer. Our team is currently hiring for a Level 1-2.

Position

Responsibilities

  • ◆Support a team of spacecraft and subsystem engineers during launch and early orbit activities to commission the space vehicle(s) for service
  • ◆Perform duties of lead technical authority during mission operations for both the space and ground segments
  • ◆Support every aspect of the mission lifecycle, from proposal/mission modeling, design, integration and test, space vehicle shipment, launch and on-orbit operations, to decommissioning
  • ◆Assist in the ground and mission operations requirements, and flow mission

responsibilities

  • ◆Assist in the creation and execution of space vehicle simulator tests to validate mission/fault/autonomy design
  • ◆Assist in the creation and execution of in-factory flight vehicle tests to validate mission design compatibility with flight hardware
  • ◆Conduct critical ground segment testing, including radio-frequency compatibility testing, remote ground facility interface testing, and acceptance testing of critical ground assets/locations
  • ◆Support anomaly response team when off-nominal vehicle conditions arise
  • ◆Contribute to customer briefings/debriefings for orbital events
  • ◆Assist in the mission “sequence of events” for bus commissioning, payload checkout/calibration, and mission operations
  • ◆Contribute to Mission Rehearsal events to train the mission team and to validate the mission design

Basic

(Required Skills/Experience)

  • ✓Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology (including Manufacturing Technology), Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry or non-US equivalent

qualifications

directly related to the work statement

  • ✓Experience with real-time satellite command and control operations
  • ✓Demonstrated knowledge of satellite subsystems, ground systems, space missions, and CONOPS design
  • ✓Willingness to support 24/7 operations as required and occasional off-nominal working hours during critical 24/7 mission operations activities
  • ✓This position requires the ability to obtain a US Security Clearance for which the US Government requires US Citizenship. A final U.S. TS/SCI clearance Post Start is required

(Desired Skills/Experience)

  • ✓Level 2: Two (2) or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience
  • ✓M .S. in STEM related field
  • ✓Extended knowledge of satellite systems engineering, including all satellite subsystems: Guidance, Navigation, and Control; Electrical Power; Thermal Control; Telemetry, Tracking, and Command; Propulsion; etc.
  • ✓Experience with Spacecraft Command & Control software systems
  • ✓Experience in leading multidisciplinary technical teams, especially to resolve anomalous scenarios
  • ✓Familiarity with software and scripting tools such as MATLAB, Python, C/C++, Java, etc.
Show full description ↓

Mission Operations Engineer (Entry-Level) - Millennium Space Systems

Company

Millennium Space Systems

Millennium Space Systems, a part of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), is a fast, agile small satellite company focused on national security space. Our missions have direct impact to global security, like missile warning and Earth observation.

Our team is curious, bold and innovative. We take risks, innovate and explore new techniques and technologies. We influence change because we challenge the status quo. And when we watch our satellites launch, we know each one of us made it happen.

back to the space vehicle team including

  • •Mission concept of operation and design reference missions
  • •Future vehicle designs by cataloguing lessons learned from on-orbit exercises
  • •Support the ground segment design, including command and control, mission planning, mission data processing, and the associated infrastructure to support all activities
  • •Implement and test space vehicle fault and autonomy, including fault detection and response, autonomous space vehicle behavior, and on-board command and control
  • •Implement methods of operational automation, to reduce day-to-day operator

Conflict of Interest

Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company’s Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.

Drug Free Workplace

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, is a Drug Free Workplace (DFW) where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

Total Rewards

At Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.

Millennium Space Systems also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a num

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