Ground Operations Engineer for Copernicus Missions (f/m/d)

SSC Space; Darmstadt; Hybrid; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Thriving Environment

Work-Life Balance

Develop yourself

Well being

Supportive Workplace

Rewards and Incentives

Job summary

SSC Space invites applications for a Ground Operations Engineer for Copernicus Missions at ESOC Darmstadt. This full-time role starts in Q2 2027 and requires EU citizenship.

You will work closely with the Flight Control team and external ground service providers to ensure mission readiness and smooth operations from the Esoc ground segment in Germany. You will support real-time operations, validation campaigns, and the evolution of ground station facilities while collaborating across diverse

Qualifications

• Degree in Telecommunications, aerospace engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Experience with end-to-end ground station systems for spacecraft operations.
• Knowledge of TT&C systems and mission control infrastructure.
• Familiarity with ground segment monitoring and telemetry handling.
• Strong problem-solving in time-sensitive environments.
• Ability to collaborate in a multicultural team.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Support real-time ground operations during LEOP and routine phases.
• Assist in validation campaigns and test activities.
• Define ground station configurations during ops prep.
• Develop and validate ground segment facilities and tools.
• Contribute to system validation campaigns and rehearsals.
• Operate monitoring and control systems for remote ground stations.
• Monitor ground station performance and data flows.
• Assist anomaly detection and contingency response.
• Create and update mission-specific documentation and training material.
• Participate in training sessions for team members.
• Coordinate meetings with spacecraft mission representatives.
• Collaborate with Flight Control and external providers.

Skills

Ground station ops

TT&C knowledge

Telemetry handling

Collaborative work

English fluency

Education

Degree in Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Job description

Ground Operations Engineer for Copernicus Missions (f/m/d)

Description

Start Date: Q2 2027

Location: ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Working hours: full time, 40h/week

Requirement: EU Citizenship

Submission Deadline: 2026-11-30

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.

Are you fueled by a passion for people and the ambition to create an awesome workplace? Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with us to help earth benefit from space?

If you answer yes to these questions, we invite you to seize the opportunity to make a significant impact as Ground Operations Engineer for Copernicus Missions (f/m/d) and support our services in ESOC Darmstadt. We are looking for a dedicated person who shares our core values of Customer passion, Care, Collaboration, Curiosity, and Courage.

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.

Requirements

• Degree in Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Proven experience in end-to-end ground station systems for spacecraft operations, including spacecraft routine phase and direct involvement in LEOP activities.
• Knowledge of TT&C systems, ground networks, and mission control infrastructure.
• Familiarity with ground segment monitoring, telemetry handling, mission readiness testing and validation campaigns.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills in time-critical environments.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a diverse and multi-cultural team environment.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Support real-time ground operations during LEOP, commissioning and routine phases.
• Provide services for the mission-specific validation of ground segment elements prior to critical operations and after major modifications.
• Support the definition of mission-specific ground station configurations during the operations preparation phase and following significant changes.
• Contribute to the definition, development and validation of new ground segment facilities and tools and to the evolution of existing ones.
• Participate in system validation campaigns, simulations, and rehearsals for operational readiness.
• Operate the monitoring and control systems for remote ground station operations.
• Monitor and analyze ground station performance, network connectivity, and data flows to maintain high service availability.
• Assist in anomaly detection, investigation, troubleshooting, and contingency response on the ground segment.
• Generate, maintain and update mission specific ground segment operations documentation, procedures and training material during the lifetime of a mission.
• Participate in, supervise and provide training sessions for other team members.
• Support regular and event driven meetings with representatives of the spacecraft missions.
• Work closely with the Flight Control team, and external ground service providers.

Benefits

What we offer:

• Thriving Environment: A growing and international environment with diverse backgrounds to learn from, with a lot of social events.
• Work-Life Balance: Take advantage of our relocation support and 30 days of paid vacation.
• Develop yourself: Enjoy permanent employment with diverse opportunities for growth, with our training program and a German language course.
• Well being: Prioritize your well-being with access to our gym program, bike lease program, and company doctor services.
• Supportive Workplace: Experience our open-door policy and ISO 9001-certified workplace, where your voice is valued and your contributions recognized
• Rewards and Incentives: Receive a competitive salary, bonus scheme, deferred compensation scheme and sponsored public transportation tickets.

Our Values

SSC Space is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space.

With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions.

We help Earth benefit from space. Learn more at sscspace.com