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
Read Full Description