Job Description

Start Date: ASAP

Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Requirement: EU Citizenship

Working hours: Full time, 40h/week

Submission deadline: 2026-09-28

About SSC Space:

Welcome to SSC Space – the perfect workplace for those passionate about technology in general and space in particular. With space organizations, research institutes, institutional and commercial actors as customers, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, space consulting services, rocket and balloon systems, flight test services, satellite propulsion systems, and much more.

SSC also has one of the world’s largest global networks of ground stations for satellite communications. We own and operate the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden, with the aim of launching satellites in the near future.

We are looking for a Spacecraft Operations Engineer with a strong AOCS background to support the Sentinel Expansions Operations Engineering Service at ESOC. The role focuses on AOCS operations preparation, validation and early flight support for Sentinel Expansion missions.

Security:

In line with security requirements for the concerned missions of this position, the candidate has to hold a European citizenship. Evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process. Furthermore, in view of the nature of the work the company is in, all potential employees will undergo stringent reference and identity checks.

Responsibilities

• Support AOCS operations preparation from early mission phases through SVTs, launch readiness, LEOP, commissioning and handover to routine operations.
• Prepare, validate and maintain AOCS operational products, including FOPs, command sequences, displays, procedures, test cases and operations documentation.
• Support AOCS analysis for spacecraft modes, mode transitions, pointing, manoeuvres, safe mode, FDIR and contingency cases.
• Define and validate AOCS monitoring and commanding products.
• Support ODB preparation and validation for AOCS-related telemetry, telecommands, parameters, limits, calibrations and displays.
• Prepare and execute AOCS simulator scenarios, including nominal operations, mode transitions, manoeuvre cases and anomaly cases.
• Support System Validation Tests, including preparation, dry-runs, formal test execution, anomaly reporting and close-out.
• Support mission planning activities involving AOCS constraints, pointing requirements, manoeuvre planning inputs and operational timelines.
• Contribute to spacecraft monitoring and commanding during simulations, SVTs, LEOP, commissioning and selected critical activities.
• Work with ESA, spacecraft industry and ground segment teams to resolve AOCS operations and validation issues.

Requirements

• University degree in Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in spacecraft operations engineering with a clear focus on AOCS.
• Good knowledge of AOCS operations concepts, including attitude modes, orbit control, pointing, manoeuvres and safe mode behaviour.
• Experience preparing or validating AOCS procedures, command sequences, displays or operational databases.
• Experience with spacecraft simulators and simulator-based validation campaigns.
• Experience supporting SVTs, system tests, FOP validation or operations preparation campaigns.
• Understanding of spacecraft telemetry and telecommand processing.
• Familiarity with ODB processes and AOCS data validation.
• Understanding of mission planning constraints relevant to AOCS operations.
• Ability to analyse spacecraft behaviour using telemetry, simulator outputs and test evidence.
• Clear technical communication in English.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sentinel, Copernicus or Earth observation mission experience.
• ESOC operations preparation experience.
• Experience with Airbus or TAS spacecraft platforms.
• Experience with LEOP, commissioning or critical operations support.
• Knowledge of S2K or EGOS-CC from an operations user perspective.
• Experience with modern spacecraft avionics, authentication or secure commanding.
• Scripting or data analysis skills for test preparation, telemetry checks or engineering support.

Benefits

What we offer:

• Thriving Environment: A growing and international environment with diverse backgrounds to learn from, with a lot of social events.
• Work-Life Balance: Take advantage of our relocation support and 30 days of paid vacation.
• Develop yourself: Enjoy permanent employment with diverse opportunities for growth, with our training program and a German language course.
• Well being: Prioritize your well-being with access to our gym program, bike lease program, and company doctor services.
• Supportive Workplace: Experience our open-door policy and ISO 9001-certified workplace, where your voice is valued and your contributions recognized
• Rewards and Incentives: Receive a competitive salary, bonus scheme, deferred compensation scheme and sponsored public transportation tickets.

Our Values:

SSC Space is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space.

With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions.

We help Earth benefit from space. Learn more at sscspace.com

Please submit your application and all supporting documents in English.