Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Job Description:

As part of the new ESOC FOE Earth Observation and Earth Watch missions' contract, due to start on 01/01/2027, we are seeking to expand our Spacecraft Operations Engineering Team.

Depending on the experience of the candidate, they will be assigned to one or more mission and have responsibility for a number of Spacecracft subsystems and Ground Segment Systems.

Key Responsibilities

The general activities to be supported by this service are, to be tailored to their profile and expertise:

• Study of Project specific Characteristics and Ground Segment Documentation
• Participation in the Analysis and Design of Satellite Operations
• Generation and validation of Flight Control Procedures
• Mission Management and Mission Planning Support Service
• Support for Ground Segment Systems evolution and testing (e.g. MCS, SIM and MPS)
• Participation in the team Training Program
• Routine Payload & Platform Operations
• Participation in all Mission Critical Operations
• General Flight Control Support Service
• Spacecraft Performance Analysis
• Participation in the on-call service

Additional duties may include support to National Constellation activities, involvement in operational training, and participation in Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) activities.

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• University degree or equivalent education in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or Telecommunications Engineering.
• Experience in Spacecraft operations.
• For System Supports: Proven expertise in FOS development of FCT related tasks (e.g. FOP preparation and validation) - minimum 5 years of experience.
• Knowledge of one or more spacecraft subsystems such as Power, Thermal, Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS), Data Handling, Communications (TT&C), or Payload operations.
• Robust understanding of FOS main components
• Proven experience with S2K based MCS, NDIU/GSTVi and MOIS/ProToS, EGOS-CC/PULSE.
• Familiar with ECSS Packet Utilization Standards
• Proven experience with ESOC internal and external interfaces
• Proven experience Mission Planning cycle and operational procedures
• Experience with the operational simulators, especially the ones based on Simsat.
• Experience with system level tasks and system minded attitude
• Ability to investigate technical issues methodically and contribute to operational improvements.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken

Desirable Skills

• Experience within a spacecraft operations centre or mission control environment, in particular with the ESOC environment.
• Familiarity with low Earth orbit satellites
• Knowledge of spacecraft databases, telemetry and telecommand systems, power, thermal, attitude and orbit control, communications, payload, or data handling subsystems.
• Experience working with international partners, customers, or multidisciplinary engineering teams (e.g. JAXA, AEE, ASI)

Furthermore

• Start date 01/10/2026 or 01/01/2027
• EU applications only
• CV in latest Europass format

Seniority:
Expert

Primary Location:
DE - Darmstadt - ESOC

Contract Type:
Employee-Permanent

Hybrid Working:
Onsite