EUMETSAT is Europe's meteorological satellite agency - monitoring the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

At EUMETSAT, you can make a world of difference and be a part of something that makes a positive impact on society. You will be at the cutting edge of satellite technology, with a meaningful role in an organisation focused on space-based observations of the Earth's weather and climate.

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.

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).

Background

EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation that operates a varied fleet of spacecraft to observe the Earth's atmosphere, oceans and land surfaces in support of weather forecasting, climate monitoring, oceanography and hydrology.

The Flight Operations (FLO) Division is tasked with conducting spacecraft flight operations and supporting the development of future missions, including flight dynamics and mission analysis activities. This post is for the role of Flight Dynamics engineer in the Flight Dynamics & Mission Analysis team in FLO.

The post holder is responsible for, and contributes to, the flight dynamics and mission analysis aspects of system development and operations preparation, validation and routine operations of current and future missions. She/he participates in the engineering, operations and maintenance of Flight Dynamics operational systems for current low Earth orbit satellites, as well as support the development of future missions. For the first years, the post holder is expected to be primarily contributing to the EPS-Sterna mission.

The main duties will be as follows:

Provide mission analysis support to early mission feasibility and definition phases;

Provide flight dynamics support to system requirements specifications and operations concept definitions;

Provide flight dynamics support to flight dynamics facility and conjunction management requirement specifications, procurements, development and verification phases;

Provide flight dynamics support to the definition, operations preparation and execution of pre-launch Satellite System Verification Testing (SSVT), Launch & Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), Satellite In-orbit Verification (SIOV), and System Commissioning activities for new and recurrent satellites;

Perform flight dynamics activities in support of LEOP, routine, special, contingency and end of life/disposal operations of LEO satellites, including:

o determination of satellites' attitude and orbit

o generation of flight dynamics products for onboard and ground segment use

o maintenance of the operational orbits through implementation of manoeuvres

o monitoring, management and, where necessary, mitigation of collision risks

o satellite housekeeping activities such as sensor and actuator maintenance

o evaluation of satellite performance, including fuel lifetimes

o satellite anomaly investigation and resolution;

Provide flight dynamics support to the maintenance, re-engineering and enhancement of ground segments and flight dynamics facilities, including:

o anomaly investigation and resolution

o optimisation and enhancement of Flight Dynamics functionality, performance, efficiency and robustness

o removal of system obsolescence

o specification, development, integration and acceptance of system evolutions

Ensure readiness of operational flight dynamics and conjunction management systems, and related engineering team personnel, for constellation management and the introduction of recurrent satellites within existing missions

Qualifications

University degree or equivalent in aerospace engineering or other relevant discipline.

Skills and Experience:

In-depth knowledge of space flight mechanics, covering both orbit and attitude dynamics, for Earth-orbiting spacecraft;

Proven professional experience in operations and maintenance of Earth Observation LEO space flight dynamics systems, including familiarity with electric propulsion;

Knowledge of system engineering standards and methodologies in aspects relevant to space operational systems;

Familiarity with software libraries and tools specific for flight dynamics & mission analysis of LEO satellites (e.g. NAPEOS, Orekit, Godot);

Familiarity with Linux systems and programming languages with focus on mathematical applications (e.g. Java, Python, MatLab);

Strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation, coupled with very good interpersonal skills and a proven ability to apply these to the interactions within a team and between teams.

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

What we offer

Excellent salary, of up to Euro 8500 / month NET (after tax) based on skills and experience;

Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave;

Full 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).

Salary: 0 - 8500 EUR / YEAR

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