About Southern Launch Southern Launch is Australia's leading spaceport operator, building the sovereign capability required to get to space and back. Headquartered in South Australia, Southern Launch operates two of the nation's leading commercial spaceports, the Koonibba Test Range and the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. Providing orbital and suborbital launch, hypersonic flight, re-entries from space and range services, for commercial, civil and defence customers. Through regulator-proven, vertically integrated mission services, Southern Launch's unique infrastructure enables direct ascent trajectories to a wide range of orbital inclination. While more than 47,000 square kilometres of secure, remote operating areas support advanced testing and recovery operations.

About the role
The Mission Manager is responsible for developing, coordinating and managing the operational processes required to deliver safe, compliant and effective launch and spacecraft re-entry campaigns at Southern Launch. Working closely with customers, internal operational teams and external stakeholders, the role ensures mission requirements are translated into practical operational plans, supported by appropriate documentation, approvals and risk controls. The role will coordinate activities throughout the campaign lifecycle, from initial planning and regulatory preparation through operational readiness, execution and closeout. This includes developing operational procedures, coordinating technical and regulatory requirements, managing stakeholder interfaces and ensuring activities are aligned with applicable safety, security and compliance obligations. This is a coordination-focused role suited to someone who can combine strong operational planning, technical documentation and stakeholder management skills within a dynamic, highly regulated environment. Responsibilities
• Develop and coordinate end-to-end operational plans for launch and spacecraft re-entry campaigns, ensuring activities align with customer requirements, operational capabilities and agreed objectives.
• Work collaboratively with customers to understand mission requirements, establish operational expectations and translate technical needs into practical campaign plans and procedures.
• Prepare, review and maintain operational documentation, including campaign plans, countdown procedures, mission procedures, return and recovery plans,



and supporting operational instructions.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of required regulatory applications, technical approvals and supporting documentation in collaboration with relevant internal specialists and external authorities.
• Monitor regulatory and compliance requirements throughout the campaign lifecycle, ensuring relevant obligations, approvals and supporting records are addressed before operational activities commence.
• Liaise with internal teams, regulatory authorities and external stakeholders to resolve operational matters, clarify requirements and maintain alignment with applicable legislation, standards and industry practices.
• Coordinate operational schedules, milestones, dependencies and stakeholder commitments to support campaign readiness and the effective execution of time-critical activities.
• Identify, assess and manage operational risks, maintaining appropriate risk registers, mitigation measures and contingency arrangements in collaboration with relevant technical and operational personnel.
• Develop and coordinate operational safety, security and emergency response documentation in consultation with the relevant subject matter experts and responsible personnel.
• Facilitate operational readiness reviews and planning meetings, tracking outstanding actions, documentation, approvals and dependencies through to completion.
• Act as a key point of coordination between customers and Southern Launch’s operational teams, ensuring clear communication, timely issue resolution and effective management of changing requirements.
• Coordinate campaign closeout activities, including document updates, operational reporting, lessons learned and recommendations to improve future campaign planning and delivery. Qualifications
• A qualification in project management, aerospace, engineering, science, operations management or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant industry experience.




• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex operational activities, technical projects or campaigns involving multiple stakeholders and interdependent requirements.
• Experience developing and maintaining operational procedures, technical documentation, plans or compliance records.
• Demonstrated capability in operational planning, risk assessment, issue resolution and coordinating activities against defined milestones.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear, structured documentation and communicate technical requirements to varied audiences.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities, maintain attention to detail and work collaboratively in a quick-paced operational environment. Preferred skills and experience
• Experience supporting launch campaigns, spacecraft operations, aerospace programs or other highly regulated technical operations.
• Knowledge of launch and re-entry operations, range operations, mission planning or operational readiness processes.
• Experience preparing regulatory submissions, coordinating technical approvals or working with government regulators and compliance authorities.
• Familiarity with Australian aviation, radio communications, explosives or other regulatory frameworks relevant to complex technical operations.
• Experience developing operational safety plans, emergency response procedures, security documentation or risk management plans.
• Strong technical writing skills, particularly in the preparation of controlled procedures, operational plans and compliance documentation.
• Experience managing customer relationships and coordinating activities across engineering, operations, safety, security and external service providers.
• Familiarity with project management tools, document control systems, configuration management and formal review and approval processes.
• Experience capturing lessons learned and implementing continuous improvements to operational processes and documentation. Security clearance requirements
• Applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance through the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA). For more information about security clearance eligibility and the vetting process, visit the AGSVA website.

📌 Mission Manager (Adelaide)
🏢 Southern Launch
📍 Adelaide