VN 25/60 System Operations Engineer
EUMETSAT operates a growing fleet of Earth Observation satellites in Low Earth and Geostationary orbits (currently comprising EUMETSAT Meteosat Second and Third Generation and Metop First and Second Generation satellites, Copernicus Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 satellites). In parallel, EUMETSAT is working towards the launch of a number of future missions, including the EUMETSAT Polar System โ Sterna (EPS-Sterna). This is a new constellation of microsatellites that will each carry a state-of-the-art microwave sounder. The initial constellation is composed of 6 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit.
Initially reporting to the EPS-Sterna Operations Preparation manager, in the Programme, Preparation and Development (PRD) department, the successful candidate will provide system operations engineering and coordination expertise within the EPS-Sterna operational preparation team.
After the successful handover of the first constellation of 6 EPS-Sterna satellites to the Operations Department, the post holder will be reassigned to the Real Time Services and System Operation (RSO) division within the Operations department to conduct routine system operations for the EPS-Sterna missions, in parallel to supporting the transition of recurring/future satellites into operations.
Duties
- Support to the definition and maintenance of the EPS-Sterna mission operations concepts and operational scenarios,
- Provide EPS-Sterna related inputs to the Operation Service Specification;
- Support the planning, preparation and execution of EPS-Sterna system and facility level operational validation activities including coordination of the validation of the full end-to-end services;
- Coordinate and perform the development and validation of the EPS-Sterna ground segment operational documentation including partner interfaces;
- Support the definition, configuration and implementation of EPS-Sterna end-to-end service monitoring;
- Support EPS-Sterna pre-launch system preparations including operations training, rehearsals and establishing the system launch configuration;
- Coordinate EPS-Sterna system operations during LEOP and commissioning phases leading to the handover and start of routine operations;
- Provide system operations engineering expertise and coordinate the operations of EUMETSAT spacecraft and ground segments to ensure compliance with the operations service specification and operational interface agreements;
- Support system engineering and coordination of the operations of the related to EUMETSATโs programmes;
- Coordinate with teams in other divisions and departments for multi-mission operations pertaining to EUMETSATโs programmes.
LOCATION Darmstadt, Germany
QUALIFICATIONS
University degree or equivalent experience in a relevant engineering discipline.
LANGUAGES
The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.
DEADLINE
10 November 2025
Duties
- Support to the definition and maintenance of the EPS-Sterna mission operations concepts and operational scenarios,
- Provide EPS-Sterna related inputs to the Operation Service Specification;
- Support the planning, preparation and execution of EPS-Sterna system and facility level operational validation activities including coordination of the validation of the full end-to-end services;
- Coordinate and perform the development and validation of the EPS-Sterna ground segment operational documentation including partner interfaces;
- Support the definition, configuration and implementation of EPS-Sterna end-to-end service monitoring;
- Support EPS-Sterna pre-launch system preparations including operations training, rehearsals and establishing the system launch configuration;
- Coordinate EPS-Sterna system operations during LEOP and commissioning phases leading to the handover and start of routine operations;
- Provide system operations engineering expertise and coordinate the operations of EUMETSAT spacecraft and ground segments to ensure compliance with the operations service specification and operational interface agreements;
- Support system engineering and coordination of the operations of the related to EUMETSATโs programmes;
- Coordinate with teams in other divisions and departments for multi-mission operations pertaining to EUMETSATโs programmes.
Skills and Experience
- Experience in the field of satellite and/or ground segment operations and ops-prep activities is required. Experience of small satellite operations would be an advantage;
- Experience in developing, testing and/or operating space related systems is required;
- Familiarity with ground segment systems monitoring, networking and distributed applications is required;
- Thorough understanding of distributed system operations and interaction with external operations entities is required;
- Experience in space to ground interfaces and end-to-end system data flows is required;
- Experience of is required;
- Demonstrable critical thinking and a methodical, proactive and organised approach to work combined with an aptitude for detail and accuracy while under pressure/in an emergency situation is required;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, with a proven ability to apply these to interactions within a team and between internal teams and external entities.
Employment Conditions
The recruitment process for this post will commence during the second half of 2025. However, the contract for the successful candidate will only be issued after obtaining formal approval of the EPS-Sterna Programme by EUMETSAT Member States, expected in December 2025.
The initial contract will be of 4 yearsโ 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. Applicants are required to disclose all nationalities they have held and currently hold in order to determine whether they can exercise the role as advertised in compliance with applicable export control regulations.About EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT is Europeโs 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.)