VN 25/26 Copernicus Sentinel-3 Spacecraft Operations Engineer

EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, operating a fleet of satellites delivering weather and climate-related satellite data and images to our users worldwide; helping protect lives, property and industries. Further satellites are in preparation for launch.

The Copernicus Sentinel-3 (S-3) Spacecraft Operations Engineer is a member of the S-3 Spacecraft Operations Team within the Flight Operations (FLO) Division of the Operations and Services to Users Department. The post holder will participate in all activities related to the preparation for and execution of in-orbit operations of the S-3A and S-3B satellites, including preparatory activities for In-Orbit Standby and End-of-Mission phases, and in preparatory activities for the launch, commissioning and operations of the recurrent S-3 satellites (S-3C, S-3D). This position supports the European Union’s Copernicus Programme.

Duties

• Support the routine operations of the S-3 space segment;
• Support the operations preparation and in-orbit operations of the S-3 satellites in all mission phases;
• Take direct responsibility for the operations of at least one platform subsystem;
• Take direct responsibility for the operations of at least one satellite instrument;
• As member of a team of operations engineers and analysts, perform the development, test, validation and maintenance of S-3 spacecraft procedures, databases and other operations items and tools;
• Support in-orbit operations coordination of S-3 satellite activities with S-3 system level operations;
  • Support the maintenance and development of operations support tools (e.g. SIM, MOIS) and act as an interface to the Technical & Scientific Support department (TSS) for these tools;
  • Assist in the provision of training to S-3 operations team personnel;
  • Participate in the management of the technical interface with the S-3 external industrial support during routine operations;
  • Support activities for other Copernicus mission preparations and related activities on request.

    LOCATION Darmstadt, Germany

    QUALIFICATIONS

    University Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline (e.g. Engineering), or experience in relevant field.

    LANGUAGES Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.

    DEADLINE

    12 May 2025

    Duties

    • Support the routine operations of the S-3 space segment;
    • Support the operations preparation and in-orbit operations of the S-3 satellites in all mission phases;
    • Take direct responsibility for the operations of at least one platform subsystem;
    • Take direct responsibility for the operations of at least one satellite instrument;
    • As member of a team of operations engineers and analysts, perform the development, test, validation and maintenance of S-3 spacecraft procedures, databases and other operations items and tools;
    • Support in-orbit operations coordination of S-3 satellite activities with S-3 system level operations;
      • Support the maintenance and development of operations support tools (e.g. SIM, MOIS) and act as an interface to the Technical & Scientific Support department (TSS) for these tools;
      • Assist in the provision of training to S-3 operations team personnel;
      • Participate in the management of the technical interface with the S-3 external industrial support during routine operations;
      • Support activities for other Copernicus mission preparations and related activities on request.

        Skills and Experience

        • Minimum of five years’ professional experience in the field of LEO satellite operations, preferably gained in the development or operations of an Earth Observation space system, with emphasis on the overall satellite system aspects.
        • Strong interpersonal and management skills, flexibility and capability to adapt to complex situations, and strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation.
        • Experience of IV&V campaigns, preferably in a leading or coordinating role.

          Employment Conditions

          The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
          This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7,340 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site.
          
          EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
          Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT.

          About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.
          
          EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.
          
          As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)