Ground Stations Operations Engineer

EUMETSAT as an organisation is entering an interesting and challenging period, with multiple satellite launches planned over the next few years, alongside a transformational programme of wide-ranging technology refresh projects. EUMETSAT operates a growing fleet of Earth Observation satellites in Low Earth and Geostationary orbits (currently comprising EUMETSAT Meteosat Second and Third Generation and Metop First and Second Generation satellites, Copernicus Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 satellites). In parallel, EUMETSAT is working towards the launch of a number of future missions, including the EUMETSAT Polar System – Sterna (EPS-Sterna). This is a new constellation of microsatellites that will each carry a state-of-the-art microwave sounder. The initial constellation is composed of 6 satellites in sun-synchronous orbit. Within the Real-Time Services and System Operations (RSO) Division, as Ground Stations Operations Engineer you will be responsible of the ground stations operations preparation activities for future programmes, ground station services procurements and will support the evolutions of the EUMETSAT Ground Stations. You will also coordinate routine and special operations of EUMETSAT Ground Stations and outsourced ground station services. Duties As successful candidate you will have the following key responsibilities:Coordination of the operations of EUMETSAT’s operational ground stations and externally provided ground station services;Implement arrangements and coordinate with the EUMETSAT teams providing expert engineering support for ground stations maintenance, based on Service Level Agreements;Interface and coordinate activities with external service providers and partners;Analysis of Ground Stations and external ground station services anomalies and coordination of their resolution;Analysis of ground stations operations and performance, proposing evolutions where applicable;Validation of Ground Stations systems upgrades and evolutions and management of small evolution projects;Support the procurement of the ground stations and other related systems and tools;Support and/or lead the procurement of ground stations service contracts;Support the transition into operations of ground station systems and services, for future satellite systems;Coordination of the production/validation of operational procedures and training of the operations teams. What we offer Generous salary, of up to Euro 8,500 / month NET (after income tax) based on skills and experienceFlexible working time including additional flexi-leaveExcellent medical coverage for employee and familyAttractive pension30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidaysTraining and development supportRelocation allowance and support (if applicable) Requirements Skills and Experience: Experience of complex ground stations systems operations in a 24/7 real-time spacecraft operations environment, preferably in Earth Observation, is required;Experience in complex ground station system engineering, including validation of ground stations and/or ground station services is required;Experience in procurements of ground station services is required;Experience of team coordination and project management is required;Experience in operations preparation activities is required, additional experience in the transition to operations of ground stations (and/or ground station services) for new satellite systems would be an advantage;Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with proven ability to apply these to interactions within a team and between teams is required;Experience in procurement of maintenance and site support services would be an advantage;Experience supporting in Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) operations from ground stations would be considered an advantage. Qualifications: University Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g. Telecommunications Engineering, RF Engineering, Aerospace Engineering). 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 usEUMETSAT’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).