AOCS Spacecraft Operations Engineer (f/m/d) in Darmstadt

Start Date: ASAP
Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Requirement: EU Citizenship
Working hours: Full time, 40h/week
Submission deadline: 2026-09-28

About SSC Space:
Welcome to SSC Space – the perfect workplace for those passionate about technology in general and space in particular. With space organizations, research institutes, institutional and commercial actors as customers, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, space consulting services, rocket and balloon systems, flight test services, satellite propulsion systems, and much more.
SSC also has one of the world’s largest global networks of ground stations for satellite communications. We own and operate the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden, with the aim of launching satellites in the near future.

We are looking for a Spacecraft Operations Engineer with a strong AOCS background to support the Sentinel Expansions Operations Engineering Service at ESOC. The role focuses on AOCS operations preparation, validation and early flight support for Sentinel Expansion missions.

Security:
In line with security requirements for the concerned missions of this position, the candidate has to hold a European citizenship. Evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process. Furthermore, in view of the nature of the work the company is in, all potential employees will undergo stringent reference and identity checks.

• University degree in Aerospace Engineering, Control Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
• Experience in spacecraft operations engineering with a clear focus on AOCS.
• Good knowledge of AOCS operations concepts, including attitude modes, orbit control, pointing, manoeuvres and safe mode behaviour.
• Experience preparing or validating AOCS procedures, command sequences, displays or operational databases.
• Experience with spacecraft simulators and simulator-based validation campaigns.
• Experience supporting SVTs, system tests, FOP validation or operations preparation campaigns.
• Understanding of spacecraft telemetry and telecommand processing.
• Familiarity with ODB processes and AOCS data validation.
• Understanding of mission planning constraints relevant to AOCS operations.
• Ability to analyse spacecraft behaviour using telemetry, simulator outputs and test evidence.
• Clear technical communication in English.
• Excellent command of English, both written and spoken.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sentinel, Copernicus or Earth observation mission experience.
• ESOC operations preparation experience.
• Experience with Airbus or TAS spacecraft platforms.
• Experience with LEOP, commissioning or critical operations support.
• Knowledge of S2K or EGOS-CC from an operations user perspective.
• Experience with modern spacecraft avionics, authentication or secure commanding.
• Scripting or data analysis skills for test preparation, telemetry checks or engineering support.