About the role#
Dispatch is hiring Mission Operations Interns to work on the Spark-1 vehicle. You will join the team responsible for flight rules, procedures, and the ground tools used to manage the spacecraft from separation to recovery. You will work directly with engineers in GNC, flight software, and avionics to support upcoming missions.
What you'll do#
- Define concept of operations, mode timelines, and flight rules for Spark-1.
- Create commissioning, nominal, and contingency procedures and test them against simulations and flatsat hardware.
- Develop mission tools for telemetry limit checking, command sequencing, pass scheduling, anomaly response, and trending.
- Conduct link budget, ground station coverage, and conjunction assessment analysis.
- Assist with ground segment setup, operator training, and regulatory coordination with the FCC and NOAA.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a BS, MS, or PhD program for aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field.
- Experience in spacecraft operations, ground stations, orbital mechanics, RF communications, or flight test via research, coursework, or projects.
- Proficiency in Python for scripting, data handling, and tool development.
- Ability to write clear, step-by-step procedures and execute them under time pressure.
- At least one year of experience on a technical project team like a CubeSat team, Rocket Team, Formula SAE, or AIAA Design-Build-Fly.
- Practical experience operating a rocket, UAV, ground station, or CubeSat, or working a flight test or launch day.
- Familiarity with telemetry and command systems like Yamcs or COSMOS, or possession of an amateur radio license.
- Knowledge of astrodynamics and pass prediction tools such as STK, GMAT, Skyfield, or Orekit.
- Strong technical documentation and communication skills.
Location & details#
- This is an on-site role based in San Francisco, California.
- Internships are available for Winter 2027 and Summer 2027.
- This is a paid, full-time position.
- Due to U.S. export control requirements, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. We cannot provide visa sponsorship.
About Dispatch | YC P26
Dispatch builds satellites designed to manufacture products in space and return them to Earth. The company operates within the space research and technology sector. Founded in 2026, it maintains its headquarters in San Francisco, California. The organization currently employs three people.
How to get in at Dispatch | YC P26
Applying to Dispatch early is a distinct advantage because the team is small and reviews applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can apply before the pile grows and your resume gets lost in the shuffle. Reaching out to the right person often beats submitting an application into a general queue. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates.
