System Engineer (Space Weather Space Segment)

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We are currently looking for a System Engineer (Space Weather Space Segment) to work at ESOC’s premises in Darmstadt, Germany.

You will be responsible for the definition, management, and verification of mission, system, and instrument requirements for space weather satellite missions throughout the full project lifecycle. Supporting the development, procurement, integration, testing, and operation of spacecraft, payloads, and ground segment systems, ensuring technical compliance, interface consistency, and mission performance. Providing systems engineering expertise in space weather instrumentation, mission architecture, operational concepts, technical reviews, and coordination with industry, scientific, and international stakeholders.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Leading and maintaining space segment system and mission requirements, ensuring full traceability, consistency, and compliance throughout the mission lifecycle using tools such as DOORS.
• Supporting the definition, evolution, and verification of space weather mission architectures, satellite systems, payloads, and associated ground segment interfaces.
• Contributing to the preparation and execution of instrument and satellite mission studies, procurements, and development activities, including requirements engineering, trade-off analyses, and technical assessments.
• Monitoring and reviewing spacecraft, payload, and instrument development activities across all mission phases, ensuring compliance with technical, performance, and interface requirements.
• Providing technical oversight for space weather instrumentation (e.g., particle detectors, magnetometers, plasma analysers, atmospheric density sensors, and imagers), supporting concept development, qualification, integration, testing, and operational implementation.
• Supporting system engineering activities related to instrument performance modelling, verification, validation, and acceptance of space segment components and applications.
• Reviewing industrial deliverables, participating in project and mission reviews, and coordinating technical exchanges with internal stakeholders, industry partners, and international collaborators.
• Supporting mission operations engineering activities, including operational requirements definition, end-to-end simulations, ground processing systems, instrument performance monitoring, and anomaly investigations.
• Contributing to the development of space weather standards, technology roadmaps, and future mission concepts to support long-term operational space weather services.
• Preparing technical reports, progress assessments, and recommendations to support programme management and decision-making.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Master’s or PhD degree or equivalent in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Space Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Space Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in spacecraft, payload, or space mission systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in perform system architecture and trade-off analyses.
• Background in supporting satellite missions throughout the complete lifecycle, from concept and feasibility studies through development, verification, launch, commissioning, and operations.
• Experience working with industrial contractors, technical reviews, and multidisciplinary engineering teams in an international environment.
• Expertise in preparing technical reports, specifications, validation reports, and review documentation.
• Experience interacting with multidisciplinary teams composed of scientists, software developers, system engineers, operators, and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of requirements management and systems engineering standards and tools, including IBM DOORS, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies, and ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization) standards.
• Ability to engage effectively with scientific users, operational stakeholders, industrial partners, and software development teams.
• Strong analytical, organisational, and reporting skills.
• Eligible to work in Germany.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Proficiency in German is a plus.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.