System and IVV Engineer in EPS-Sterna (2 Posts)

About EUMETSAT

EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation based in Darmstadt, Germany, with 30 member states. Our vision is to be the leading user-driven operational agency in Europe and a trusted global partner for weather and Earth system monitoring from space. We are at the forefront of providing near-real-time (NRT) data that are crucial for saving lives, protecting property, and fostering economic growth and productivity in Europe. By operating state-of-the-art systems for managing our satellites, data processing and providing real-time distribution services to users worldwide, we are making a tangible difference in people's lives and contribute to the thriving European economy.

As part of the next generation of EUMETSAT satellite programmes, the EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS-Sterna) programme aims at complementing and expanding the Microwave Sounding capability of both the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) and Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) by implementing a constellation of small microwave sounding satellites, which will improve the accuracy of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models globally as well as providing frequent observations for nowcasting especially at high latitudes which are not well covered by the geostationary satellites (i.e. MSG and MTG).

EUMETSAT will be responsible of the development and operation of the EPS-Sterna System, with the satellites procured in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), as the EPS-Sterna satellites will be recurrent models of the ESA Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) with minor adaptations. The initial constellation will be composed of six satellites in three different orbital planes that will be replenished throughout the mission lifetime of thirteen years. The EPS-Sterna programme will build on a number of existing assets from the EUMETSAT ground segment infrastructure as well as from the AWS development. This is done to ensure overall mission affordability as well as a timely delivery of the initial constellation in orbit by 2029.

In support of this new EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS-Sterna) programme, EUMETSAT has created two posts that will provide expertise in the area of System Engineering and perform System and Ground Segment Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities; one post with an additional focus on Scenario Validation and System IV&V and the other on System, Ground Segment and Sub-segment IV&V. Whilst one position may be filled internally and the decision on which of the two roles will be offered externally will be determined by the relative strengths of the candidates that apply. EUMETSAT may also recruit two external candidates for this VN if necessary.
Interview of this post will be conducted during the second half of 2025. However, the contract for the successful candidate(s) will only be issued after obtaining formal approval of the EPS-Sterna Programme by EUMETSAT Member States, expected in December 2025.

Duties

• Support maintenance and consistency of the overall requirements database in DOORS with respect to the progressing system and IV&V engineering activities;
• Refine/maintain the EPS-Sterna Verification and Validation Scenarios in Enterprise Architect that will be used in System and Ground Segment IV&V activities;
• Refine/prepare and maintain system and ground segment verification matrices and verification control documents;
• Perform preparation of test activities and execute tests for the EPS-Sterna Ground Segment and System;
• Support definition and coordination/organisation of the inter-segment compatibility tests (e.g. RF compatibility, SVTs);
• Contribute to the functional and non-functional verification, system performances verification, system validation, until demonstration that all system level requirements and interfaces have been verified and that the system has been validated;
• Prepare/contribute the test documentation, i.e. plans, specifications, procedures, reports as necessary;
• Define system and ground segment test tools and test data and support procurement of the test tools when necessary;
• Support maintenance and control of System and Ground Segment end to end integration and verification, establish and maintain Integration Control and Verification Control Databases;
• Contribute harmonisation of the definition and execution of the EPS-Sterna sub-segments (MCO, PDP and MMEs) integration and verification.

What we offer

• Generous salary, of up to Euro 8,500 / month NET (after income tax) based on skills and experience
• Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave
• Excellent medical coverage for employee and family
• Attractive pension
• 30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidays
• Training and development support
• Relocation allowance and support (if applicable)

Requirements

Skills and Experience:

• Proven experience in the field of system engineering for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite missions;
• Proven experience in the field of large IV&V engineering in particular in Earth Observation end-to-end space systems IV&V;
• Proven experience in verification control of a space system;
• Proven experience in test preparation and execution;
• Experience in entry into operations and commissioning preparations of large technical / scientific systems is an advantage;
• Experience in development or IV&V activities at subsegment level is considered an advantage;
• Experience in using DOORS and Enterprise Architect is an advantage;
• Experience in test tools definition and procurement is an advantage;
• Experience in working under time pressure;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working in a multi-disciplined team.

Qualifications

University degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH. WE WILL BE UNABLE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN OTHER LANGUAGES.

EUMETSAT is an international organisation employing staff from across all 30 member states and this role is being advertised on multiple international job boards, but please note that this role would be based in Darmstadt, Germany and would require international applicants to relocate if successful. Remote working is not an option for this role.

More about us

EUMETSAT’s 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 and Cooperating 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 can recruit nationals only from the 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).