Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Job Description:

We are recruiting a Spacecraft Operations Engineer to join our team working on-site at EUMETSAT's premises in Darmstadt, supporting two of Europe's most critical meteorological satellite programmes i.e Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) and Meteosat Third Generation (MTG).

This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the heart of European Earth observation, with direct impact on the quality and continuity of meteorological data services that support weather forecasting and climate monitoring across Europe and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

Routine Mission Operations

You will be an active member of the spacecraft operations team, taking hands-on responsibility for the day-to-day care of Meteosat satellites in orbit. This means much more than routine monitoring; you will be involved in the full operational lifecycle of the spacecraft, from keeping the mission running smoothly today to helping shape how it runs tomorrow.

On a day-to-day basis, your routine tasks would be to:

• Ensure the safe and continuous in-orbit operation of Meteosat spacecraft, using operational analysis tools to track spacecraft health and mission performance

• Take part in standby and on-call duties as part of a collaborative operations team, contributing to mission planning checks and shift-based activities

• Investigate spacecraft anomalies from initial identification through to resolution, working closely with engineering, ground segment, and industry counterparts

• Carry out operational tasks across a wide range of spacecraft subsystems, always with an eye on mission safety and performance

• Support the development and upkeep of spacecraft simulators and operational tools, ensuring they remain fit for purpose as missions evolve

• Prepare, review, and maintain the operational procedures, guides, and technical documentation that the team depends on

• Contribute to end-of-life activities, including spacecraft re-orbiting, decommissioning, and in-orbit technology testing

Operations Preparation

Alongside day-to-day mission support, you will play an active role in preparing the team and the mission for what comes next. As MTG enters new operational phases, your contribution to readiness activities will be essential:

• Support preparation for upcoming mission phases and key operational milestones across the Meteosat programme

• Review and assess operational deliverables and technical inputs received from satellite manufacturers and industrial partners

• Contribute to the development and validation of operational procedures, mission databases, and spacecraft configuration data

• Take part in simulation campaigns and verification and validation activities, helping to stress-test operational concepts before they go live

• Support system validation test campaigns — from planning and execution through to reporting

• Assist with satellite control chain integration work alongside ground segment teams

• Contribute to preparations for critical mission phases, including Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP)

• Support the development of operational tools and spacecraft performance monitoring solutions

• Share knowledge and contribute to training preparation within the spacecraft operations team

Essential Skills and Qualifications

• A university degree or equivalent qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Physics, or a related technical discipline

• Practical experience gained in a spacecraft or mission operations engineering environment

• Hands-on exposure to in-orbit operational phases — whether routine operations, commissioning, or launch preparation

• A solid understanding of spacecraft subsystems and the principles of satellite performance monitoring

• Familiarity with operational procedures, mission configuration data, or mission control systems

• Experience with spacecraft simulators or ground segment monitoring and control facilities

• The ability to analyse operational issues methodically and contribute meaningfully to anomaly investigations

• Experience working within configuration control and operational change management processes

• Strong technical writing and communication skills

• Full professional fluency in English

Desirable Skills

• Hands-on experience with mission control systems such as SCOS-2000 or comparable platforms

• Direct involvement in LEOP or spacecraft commissioning activities

• Familiarity with onboard control procedures and spacecraft operational concepts

• Knowledge of ECSS standards or established space mission operational frameworks

• Programming or scripting skills — particularly Python or Java

• Experience developing lightweight operational tools, for example, using VBA or MS Office-based solutions

• A track record of supporting the development or ongoing maintenance of spacecraft operations toolsets

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