Senior Space Systems Engineer

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Germany.

📋 Description

• Provide mission and technical leadership along with supplier oversight.

• Spearhead cross-disciplinary engineering initiatives alongside colleagues from Space Systems, Advanced Concepts, Embedded Engineering, and Mission Operations, acting as the subject matter expert (SME) in space system design while offering technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers.

• Convert high-level mission goals into precise, verifiable system and subsystem requirements; assist in defining the requirements architecture.

• Execute trade studies to guide procurement choices, including spacecraft bus selection, payload accommodation, orbit design, and launch vehicle compatibility.

• Supervise the systems engineering process throughout all mission stages (concept, design, development, integration, testing, launch, and operations) in collaboration with the technical team.

• Engage in and lead customer-side preparations for supplier milestone reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, FRR, etc.), delivering independent technical evaluations, including the communication of review procedures and outcomes.

• Evaluate and authorize supplier-generated technical documentation, such as design reports, interface definitions, test plans, and verification matrices.

• Assess supplier adherence to contractual and technical specifications; identify non-conformities and facilitate resolution.

• Ensure oversight of verification, validation, and acceptance processes.

• Review and approve supplier verification and validation (V&V) evidence, ensuring complete traceability to requirements.

• Supervise integration and testing activities for spacecraft, payloads, or ground systems.

• Aid in the selection of internal tools to validate supplier analyses.

• Support verification, validation, and acceptance of mission hardware, software, procedures, and processes.

• Manage the technical disposition of non-conformance reports (NCRs) and waivers raised during development and acceptance.

• Oversee the integration of the space segment with ground segment and user terminals, ensuring overall system compatibility.

• Provide risk and program management support.

• Identify, evaluate, and monitor technical risks and opportunities across the procured system; implement mitigation strategies with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

• Assist in scheduling and cost estimation efforts; monitor technical performance metrics and report system maturity status to program leadership.

• Liaise with program managers and both internal and external stakeholders on technical issues.

⛳️ Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in space systems engineering, demonstrating participation in spacecraft development programs from the customer, prime contractor, or system integrator perspective.

• Proven capability to define and manage system-level requirements while maintaining a technical baseline across intricate, multi-supplier programs.

• Direct experience with dual-use, defense, or government space programs (e.g., ISR, SATCOM, PNT, Space Domain Awareness) is preferred, alongside knowledge of export control regulations (ITAR, EAR, or national equivalents) applicable to dual-use space systems.

• Understanding of ground segment architecture, mission data systems, and CCSDS standards.

• Experience overseeing the technical elements of supplier contracts, including SOW definition, change management, critical review of supplier technical documentation, and participation in formal design reviews.

• Familiarity with pertinent industry standards, such as ECSS, MIL-STD, or equivalent national space/defense standards.

• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystem engineering in one or more domains (e.g., ADCS, RF communications, power, propulsion, thermal, structures/mechanisms, or payload).

• Proficient in requirements management tools (e.g., DOORS, Jama, or similar) and MBSE tools.

🏝️ Benefits

• 30 days of vacation.

• Flexible working hours.

• Option to work from home.

• Private pension plan.

• Transportation allowances.

• 5 days of paid sick leave for childcare annually for all parents.

• On-the-job training.

• Weekly Happy Hours and Game Nights.