Ground Network Integration Lead
Houston, TX or Baltimore, MD area Salary Range: $85,000 - $205,000
About Intuitive Machines:
Intuitive Machines is an innovative and cutting-edge space company making cislunar space accessible to both public and private customers. Our mission is to further science and exploration, communications, and economic progress from the Earth to the Moon and beyond. With multiple NASA lunar missions in development and additional private missions on our manifest, we pride ourselves in supporting NASA, our customers, and the nation in paving the way to return humans to the surface of the Moon. Our world-class team includes experts in all aspects of spacecraft subsystems design, development, and test, on-orbit operations, and safety.
About the Position:
Intuitive Machines is seeking a Ground Network Integration Lead to support critical programs focused on the integration of upgraded ground antenna systems with advanced networking and internetworking software solutions. This role will directly support the Program Manager and serve as the technical authority responsible for end-to-end integration of ground infrastructure, mission operations systems, relay spacecraft interfaces, and commercial data services. The position is essential to enabling a first-of-a-kind space internetworking capability, combining modernized ground systems with evolving protocol stacks to deliver reliable, scalable, and commercially viable space communications services.
Responsibilities:
- Support the Program Manager as the technical lead for ground network and communications integration activities.
- Lead integration of upgraded antenna hardware with mission operations systems and networking software.
- Define, document, and validate end-to-end data flows between spacecraft, relay assets, ground stations, and user endpoints.
- Integrate and operationalize networking technologies including CCSDS, TCP/IP, UDP, and DTN for deep space applications.
- Develop and maintain ConOps, ICDs, system diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Coordinate across internal teams, commercial partners, government stakeholders, and teleport site owners.
- Support system-level testing, verification, operational readiness, and real-time troubleshooting.
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring across engineering and operations teams.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related discipline (master's preferred).
- Extensive experience with space mission ground systems, including command and telemetry and mission operations.
- Demonstrated expertise in ground system integration and networking protocols.
- Strong background in requirements development, verification & validation, and system test execution.
- Experience working across geographically distributed teams and multiple organizations.
- Ability to operate in fast-paced development and operational environments.
Preferred
- Experience with relay communications systems or advanced RF/optical ground stations.
- Hands-on experience with Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN).
- Familiarity with containerized ground systems, message buses, and modern mission operations software.
- Prior experience supporting NASA, DoD, or commercial space missions.
- Active security clearance.
US EEO Statement:
Intuitive Machines is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
85000.00 To 205000.00 (USD) Annually
