Mission Control Engineer

About Urban Sky:  

Urban Sky is a venture-backed aerospace startup that pioneers the utilization of the stratosphere and reimagines the way humans view and analyze the earth. We design, build, operate, and sell stratospheric balloon systems, and the data we collect supports a wide range of applications, from real-time wildfire monitoring to urban mapping. Our technology is also employed by government customers including the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and others. Urban Sky sends flight vehicles to the stratosphere on a weekly basis.  

Our team consists of engineers, makers, developers, and doers who believe in the power of human potential when passion meets utility within a small, supportive team. At Urban Sky we strive to create a team culture grounded in candor, inclusion, respect and empowerment.  

We aim to build the next chapter of stratospheric history in Denver and are seeking self-starting, open-minded, and hard-working team members.  
 

About The Role:  

Step into the cockpit of innovation at Urban Sky as a Mission Control Engineer, a hybrid role based in Denver, Colorado. This isn’t just about pushing buttons—it’s about mastering the mechanics of stratospheric flight. You’ll lead real-time Mission Control for our Microballoon missions (1-2 flights per week across the U.S. and beyond), wielding advanced software to pilot balloons and payloads through the stratosphere. With a hardware, mechanical, or aerospace engineering mindset, you’ll troubleshoot, optimize, and ensure every mission soars—safely and precisely. 

Flight schedules are as dynamic as the stratosphere itself: overnight shifts (10pm–6am), early launches (5am–2pm), or multi-day marathons followed by downtime. Flexibility is non-negotiable, but you’ll have a skilled team to back you up for planned breaks. Beyond the control room, you’ll work directly with our CEO to coordinate customer programs for the Department of Defense (DoD), leveraging your technical expertise to support cutting-edge aerospace solutions. Expect some travel (up to 10%) for hands-on customer training and field demos. 

Reporting to the Head of Flight Operations and the CEO for customer duties, this role is perfect for an engineer at heart who thrives on solving complex problems in real time—whether it’s tuning flight systems or shaping DoD partnerships. 

Key Functions:  

Mission Control Leadership 

• Own all phases of stratospheric flight: pre-flight system checks, in-flight piloting, and post-flight diagnostics. 

• Serve as Flight Director, syncing with ARTCC centers and TRACONs to ensure seamless launches, flights, and recoveries. 

• Tackle off-nominal scenarios mid-flight, applying quick thinking and engineering judgment to escalate as needed. 

• Guide field teams remotely during launch, float, landing, and recovery, pinpointing safe landing zones with precision. 

• Become the go-to expert on our Mission Control software, dissecting performance and pitching hardware-software integration upgrades to our Software and Physics teams. 

• Craft flight safety policies, procedures and training documentation for external Mission Controllers grounded in aerospace best practices. 

Customer Program Coordination (DoD Focus)

• Forge strong ties with DoD customers, translating technical mission needs into actionable program support. 

• Train future Mission Controllers and DoD users, occasionally hitting the road to deliver hands-on aerospace training or support field exercises. 

• Develop clear, technical documentation for Mission Control systems, flight procedures, and regulatory standards. 

Special Projects Engineering 

• As time allows, serve as a part-time engineer embedded with our Engineering/R&D team on special projects related to your engineering background and expertise (e.g., mechanical, aerospace, electrical, software, etc.).   

Collaboration & Planning

• Join weekly Flight Operations huddles, working with Mission Planners to align on schedules and technical requirements. 

Desired Skills & Experience:  

• Background in hardware, mechanical, or aerospace engineering—think gears, systems, or flight dynamics. 

• Hands-on experience with high-altitude platforms, UAV/UAS ops, or similar aerospace tech. 

• Comfort with air traffic control coordination and FAA regs from a technical perspective. 

• Familiarity with command-and-control systems or real-time operational software. 

• Ability to bridge engineering and customer support, ideally with DoD or tech-driven clients. 

Nice-to-Haves:  

• Exposure to program management or technical sales in aerospace.  

• Experience working with the DoD  

• Experience training others on complex systems or hardware. 

• Past work with DoD or military-grade tech projects. 

Who You Are: 

• Problem-Solver: You love digging into the nuts and bolts of flight systems and finding solutions that stick. 

• Aerospace-Minded: You bring a safety-first, engineering-driven approach to every mission. 

• Hands-On: You’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves—whether it’s tweaking software inputs or supporting field ops. 

• Adaptable: You thrive in the unpredictability of stratospheric flight schedules and environments. 

• Collaborative: You work seamlessly with engineers, planners, and customers alike. 

• Resilient: You keep your cool when the pressure’s on, tackling challenges with a positive, can-do vibe. 

• Detail-Obsessed: You spot the small stuff that keeps missions on track. 

• Flexible: You’re ready for odd hours—nights, early starts, or long hauls—to make it work. 

• Curious: You’re eager to master new tech and push the boundaries of what’s possible. 

Requirements:

• Must be US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Must be located near Denver, CO or willing to relocate to Denver, CO
  • Our office is at 4800 Race St. In Denver, CO and this role is on-site 

Education:  

• Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university, Technical/Trade School, or equivalent experience.  

Benefits:  

• Salary $110,000 - $145,000 per year   

• We are required to post this salary range per Colorado law. Your salary will be determined based on your abilities and experience.  

• Stock Options  

• Medical, Vision and Dental  

• Unlimited Vacation Days  

• Cell Phone Bill Stipend  

NOTE: Research suggests that women and BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes that they have the skills and the passion necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.  

This position may require the candidate to deal with commodities, software, technology, defense articles, and/or technical data which are subject to the Export Administration Regulations and/or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Additional information may be requested so as to determine whether export authorization is required from the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. If authorization is required, employment will be contingent upon the Company successfully obtaining such authorization from the relevant government agency.  

Urban Sky is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.