System Operations Engineer (in Germany)

EUMETSAT is an intergovernmental organisation based in Darmstadt, Germany. 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. All data provided by our state-of-the-art satellites systems are making a tangible difference in people\’s lives and contribute to the thriving European economy. EUMETSAT operates a fleet of over ten Earth Observation satellites in low Earth and geostationary orbits, including three Copernicus Sentinel satellites (Sentinel-3A, -3B and Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich), and is preparing for the launch of several next-generation satellites in the next few years, including the Copernicus Sentinel-6B satellite at the end of 2025. 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). Within the Real-Time Services and System Operations (RSO) Division, the System Operations Engineer will coordinate routine operations primarily of the Copernicus Altimetry missions (Sentinel-6, Jason-3 and SARAL) and will support the evolutions of EUMETSAT\’s ground segment systems. The engineer will also support system operation preparations activities for future satellite systems. What you\’ll be doing Coordinate the operational Copernicus Altimetry services and systems and ensure compliance with the mission requirements and technical and operational interface agreements with international partners such as ESA, NASA, NOAA, CNES; Analyse and monitor the performance of the operational end-to-end systems raising Anomaly Reports and Engineering Change Proposals where necessary and contribute to the periodic mission operation reviews (e.g. mission exploitation review, Mission Performance Review); Propose evolutions to the operational systems or their interfaces, where relevant, in coordination with the Copernicus Programme Office and coordinate the implementation and testing of system changes; Coordinate the update of operational procedures and training of the operations teams for the relevant operational missions; Ensure all operational activities are coordinated within the overall Operations Department medium- and long-term planning, including supporting the relevant FAMBs (Functional Area Management Boards) and System Operations authority Group (SOG); Support the operations preparation activities for recurrent satellites and new Copernicus missions (e.g. Sentinel-6B, Sentinel-3C, Sentinel-4, Sentinel-5 and CO2M); Provision of System Operations engineering expertise to support the early phase activities of future missions and task forces (e.g. CRISTAL/CIMR/Future Altimetry missions); Support the Copernicus Programme office with the preparation of the Quarterly and Annual Reports for the activities falling under the Copernicus Programme, including the periodic production of Key Performance Indicators. Provide timely inputs for periodic EUMETSAT system and services reporting. Requirements Qualifications University degree or equivalent experience in a relevant subject (Telecommunication, Mathematics, Electronic, System or Software Engineering). Skills and Experience In-depth experience in developing, testing and/or operating real-time space or ground segment systems; Experience of real-time ground segment systems monitoring; Thorough understanding of geographically-distributed systems operations, including networking, distributed applications, and interactions with external operations entities; Experience in provision of real-time data services and end-to-end services; Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to apply these to interactions within a team and between teams; Proven experience in international cooperation with external entities. Technical / Project Management and coordination would be an advantage. Languages Candidates must be able to work effectively in English. 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 7,500 NET (after income 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)