Spacecraft Operations Engineer
Job Requisition ID: 19575
Date Posted: 3 June 2025
Closing Date: 24 June 2025 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication: Internal & External
Type of Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Operations
Workplace:Darmstadt, DE
Grade Band: A2 - A4

DESCRIPTION

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Earth Observation Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).
The Earth Observation Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation and operations of the flight operations ground segment and the satellite mission operations for all ESA Earth Observation satellites, typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of the mission.
You will initially be assigned to the Copernicus Sentinels Optical Imaging Missions Operations Unit within the Earth Observation Missions Division. You will report hierarchically to the Head of Unit and functionally to the Unit’s Spacecraft Operations Managers (SOMs) for specific tasks.

EDUCATION

A master’s degree in engineering, mathematics or physics is required for this post.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

You should also:

• have a minimum of five years of direct experience in flight operations;
• have demonstrated experience in planning tools used for multi-instrument planning, including development, tailoring/configuration, setup and automation;
• have demonstrated experience of interfacing with external and international partners for matters relating to instrument operations;
• demonstrate a strong capacity for teamwork;
• have a high level of self-motivation and autonomy and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• assisting the SOM or Head of Unit in the definition, preparation and execution of the mission operations assigned to the Unit - currently Sentinel-2, LSTM and CHIME, including nominal, special and contingency operations, spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution, performance evaluation and reporting;
• assisting the SOM or Head of Unit in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
• interfacing with other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies for all aspects relating to the area of responsibility;
• supporting the Head of Unit in discharging the Unit’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit(s)/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, the Division or the Department, and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities.