Project Manager for Optical Payload Studies (f/m/d)

OHB System AG - We.Create.Space

OHB System AG is one of the leading space companies in Europe. The company is part of the listed high‑tech group OHB SE, which has more than 3,200 employees working on pivotal European space programmes. With two strong locations in Bremen and Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and more than 40 years of experience, OHB System AG specialises in high‑tech solutions for space. These include low‑orbiting and geostationary satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, science and space exploration as well as systems for human space flight and aerial reconnaissance. We owe our success to our employees’ passion for innovation, as well as their commitment and initiative.

Project Manager for Optical Payload Studies (f/m/d)

In this position you are a part of OHB’s optical payload concept office that is responsible for the concept definition of optical systems for space applications. In your role, you ensure the successful programmatic execution of the concept phases for optical payloads (ITT’s, AB1) and support the office’s activities to create and maintain a programmatic project framework ensuring customer satisfaction in line with key company strategies.

Your Tasks

• Programmatic lead and coordination of the project execution within a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑national team:
  • Steering of the overall process
  • Risk analysis and risk management of complex technical products
  • Analyze project KPIs, derive actions for optimisation and lead corrective action
  • Assure compliance to schedule, cost framework and quality.
  • Coordinate and liaise work and interaction of project team, in‑house departments, subcontractors, and customers
  • Supported by senior staff, ensure design‑to‑cost and design to company value chain
  • Create programmatic and business documentation, provide support for technical documentation
• Overall management for proposals and studies:
  • Support the directorate and business development in the preparation of competitive proposals and in the acquisition of new proposals and studies
  • Planning and programmatic lead of technology development and pre‑development activities with support by senior staff
  • Organising and leading discussions and meetings with customers
  • Contribute to the creating and maintaining the department’s programmatic project framework

Your Qualifications

• A PhD in Physics focusing on experimental physics/engineering/remote sensing with a demonstrated relevant work history and experience of at least 5 years, or a Master of Physics or engineering and a demonstrated relevant work history and experience of at least 10 years in a management/technical coordination role for optical space instruments or comparable systems with high technological complexity.
• Understanding and successful prior management of the challenges of complex instrumentation projects
• Understanding in space‑relevant engineering topics
• Proven history in stakeholder management
• Experience in managing technology development and pre‑development activities
• Ideally knowledge of standards (ECSS) and relevant regulations in the space engineering business
• An organised and structured task approach
• Leadership & team player mentality
• Effective communication skills. Internal & external representation capabilities
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Fluency (C2 level) in German is a strong asset and mandatory over the medium‑term

Nice to have

• Experience in cost engineering and design‑to‑cost work tailoring is considered a strong asset
• Hands‑on hardware experience (lab work, implementation and set up of optical systems) is considered an asset

We offer

Work Life Balance: Flexible working hours, sabbatical, 30 days vacation & special leave days

Mobile Work: Hybrid work & mobile work abroad

Structured on‑boarding process (incl. Assignment of a buddy in the first months)

Development: Extensive range of training courses, individual professional development, German language courses & annual employee dialogue

Additional benefits: 13th monthly salary, accident insurance & company pension plan

Catering: High standard company restaurant & generous meals subsidy

Active health promotion: Health management, E‑GYM Wellpass & In‑company sports groups

Family: Kindergarten subsidy / Kindergarten places, Childcare in the vacation period & paid child sickness days

Mobility: Subsidised Deutschland ticket, Job bike & parking lots

Company parties & events: Christmas party, Satellite launch events, NextGen Speakers Night

Innovation: Company suggestion system & free research and development

A complete overview of our benefits and more details can be found here on our website.

Become part of our international team and take your professional and personal development to a new level. Don’t fulfil all the requirements? No problem - we are happy to receive applications with partial matches! We are looking forward to your application in German or English via our online tool.

OHB System AG

Human Resources

Questions regarding this posting? Alfrida Paja is available under