Senior Satellite Systems Engineer

OKAPI:Orbits; Braunschweig; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work hours

Remote within Germany

Training & conferences

Team events

Job summary

OKAPI:Orbits seeks a senior satellite systems engineer to lead end-to-end mission design and ECSS-compliant development. You will review PASP/PARD, design customer-tailored solutions, and shape the system architecture for space missions from development to launch readiness.

The role requires a strong data science/physics background, English proficiency, and willingness to travel. On-site Braunschweig with options for remote or hybrid work within Germany, and a commitment to sustainable space

Qualifications

• M.Sc. or higher in Aerospace/Space Engineering, CS, Physics, or related field.
• 5+ years in satellite systems engineering with system-level responsibility.
• 2+ years in ECSS-compliant programmes with formal reviews and certifications.
• Experience contributing to at least one satellite mission in operation.

Responsibilities

• Review PASP and PARD documents and coordinate reviews.
• Perform end-to-end mission designs tailored to customer needs.
• Assess customer requirements and design tailored solutions.
• Identify customer needs and ideate new solutions.
• Shape end-to-end mission design software development.
• Review hardware designs at system/subsystem level.
• Support launch prep, environmental tests, and readiness reviews.
• Compute system budgets (link/power/data) and track margins.

Skills

Satellite systems eng

System-level engineering

ECSS compliance

Data analysis

English proficiency

Education

M.Sc. or higher in Aerospace/Space Engineering

5+ years satellite experience

Job description

Your mission

Join us in safeguarding the sustainability of space operations through advanced space situational awareness (SSA) technologies. As part of our team, you will develop cutting-edge collision avoidance algorithms, enhance space situational awareness, and innovate tools for satellite operators. Your expertise in data science and physics will help us detect, predict, and mitigate orbital risks, ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.

Your mission

Join us in safeguarding the sustainability of space operations through advanced space situational awareness (SSA) technologies. As part of our team, you will develop cutting-edge collision avoidance algorithms, enhance space situational awareness, and innovate tools for satellite operators. Your expertise in data science and physics will help us detect, predict, and mitigate orbital risks, ensuring safe and sustainable space exploration.

Your Tasks And Responsibilities

• Reviewing and coordinating reviews of Product Assurance & Safety Plan (PASP) and Product Assurance Requirements Documents (PARD)
• Performing of end-to-end mission designs tailored to customer needs
• Assessing customer mission requirements and designing tailored solutions
• Identifying customer needs and ideating new solutions
• Shape our end-to-end mission design software development
• Reviewing of hardware designs at system and subsystem level
• Support launch preparation, environmental test campaigns planning, and readiness reviews ahead of launch
• Compute system budgets (link, power, data) and track margins against requirements throughout development

Your profile

Must-haves:

• M.Sc. or higher in Aerospace/Space Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or another relevant technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in satellite systems engineering with responsibility for system-level engineering activities across major spacecraft development phases, including development, integration, verification, qualification, and launch preparation.
• 2+ years of experience working within ECSS-compliant development programmes, including technical documentation, formal reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, QR, AR), and certification activities.
• Experience contributing to at least one satellite mission that successfully entered operational service.
• Growth mindset and expanding your horizon
• Willingness to travel and to work in concentrated review campaigns.
• English proficiency C1 or better.
• Valid EU work authorization.

Nice to haves:

• Familiarity with ECSS product assurance practices (FMEA/FMECA, fault tree analysis, critical items lists, RAMS, ECSS-Q-ST-80C)
• Experience in Earth observation missions
• Experience with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging

Why us?

• With a lean hierarchy and small working groups, you define your own way of work including flexible work hours.
• Work on groundbreaking space sustainability challenges with a team of top-tier engineers and scientists.
• After your on-boarding time in Braunschweig, you can choose between staying in our office (what we prefer), working remote (within Germany) or a hybrid approach.
• Enjoy technical freedom. Influence system architecture, research methodologies, and data integration approaches.
• Grow continuously with access to training budgets, industry conferences, and networking opportunities.
• Be part of a strong engineering culture, with regular knowledge-sharing sessions, technical deep dives, and innovation sprints.
• Great team spirit, with company-wide events such as monthly all-hands lunches, and social activities like laser tag, dinners, and team-building outings.

About Us

OKAPI:Orbits is at the forefront of space sustainability, addressing some of the most pressing challenges of the space industry: the growing problem of crowded orbital regimes, and the need for more efficient satellite operations. We're providing end-to-end solutions that help various space industry players cover their Space Situation Awareness (SSA), and Space Traffic Management and Coordination (STM & STC) needs. We are committed to safeguarding space missions and access to space for all humanity. Join us on our mission. Last but not least, we would like to share with you that research shows that women are less likely to apply for a position unless they meet 100% of the listed requirements. Please know that if it's your case - but you are passionate about space technology, building reliable software, and contributing to a more sustainable space environment - we strongly encourage you to apply. OKAPI:Orbits already brings together a highly diverse team, and we actively continue to strengthen this diversity which allows us to achieve higher performance and drive innovation.