System Engineer for Science and Planetary Defence Missions (m/f/d)

OHB SE; Bremen; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

OHB System is seeking a System Engineer Predevelopment to shape the earliest phases of satellite missions. You will lead platform-level system engineering during Phase A/B1, orchestrate inputs from experts and subcontractors, and define mission and system architecture to lay technical, programmatic, and scheduling foundations for the lifecycle.

You will collaborate across international teams, contribute to MBSE, and ensure alignment with program goals and risk mitigation for future phases.

Qualifications

• Master-level degree in aerospace engineering with a focus on space systems.
• Knowledge of science, exploration and space safety space missions.
• Competencies in space mission design, satellite systems engineering and spacecraft subsystem design.
• High level of flexibility, willingness to work in international teams and ability to keep tight schedules.
• High motivation, pro-active working approach and strong sense of responsibility.
• Excellent communication, presentation and documentation skills.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Lead platform-level system engineering activities during Phase A/B1.
• Coordinate technical inputs from expert teams and subcontractors.
• Execute trade-offs and analyses to define mission and system architecture.
• Lead design parts from satellite to subsystem level as an architect.
• Support MBSE activities for the mission.
• Assist in delivering the project breakdown structure for later phases.
• Help develop programme plans and project schedules for the satellite program.
• Identify and assess technical and programmatic risks and cost drivers.
• Contribute to risk mitigation measures for the platform.

Skills

Space mission design

Satellite systems engineering

Subsystem design

MBSE

English fluent

German language (basic)

Industry space experience

Requirements engineering

Education

Master’s degree in aerospace engineering (space systems)

Job description

As a System Engineer Predevelopment you will play a key role in shaping the earliest phases of cutting‑edge satellite missions. In this role, you will lead platform‑level system engineering activities during Phase A/B1, orchestrate technical inputs from expert teams and subcontractors, and help define the mission and system architecture. You will contribute to laying the technical, programmatic, and schedule foundations that ensure mission success through the entire development lifecycle.

Tasks:

• Support the Lead System Engineer for the Phase A/B1 study.
• Coordinate technical inputs from specialist engineering departments and individual subcontractors.
• Execute trade‑offs and analyses to define the mission and system architecture.
• Lead the parts of the platform and subsystem system design as an architect, including deriving and maintaining requirements from satellite to subsystem level.
• Support Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) activities for the mission.
• Contribute to the assessment of the satellite development approach to ensure the target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by the end of Phase B1.
• Support the definition of the overall project breakdown structure (Work Breakdown Structure) for phases B2, C/D, and E1 through in‑orbit commissioning.
• Assist in developing the programme plan for the satellite across phases B2, C/D, and E1 up to in‑orbit calibration and validation.
• Support the creation of a project implementation schedule for the platform, aligned with the overall programme planning.
  Analyse and assess potential cost drivers for the platform.
• Support the identification and evaluation of technical and programmatic risks, including cost, schedule, and feasibility drivers.
• Support the definition and implementation of risk mitigation measures for the platform.

As a System Engineer Predevelopment you will play a key role in shaping the earliest phases of cutting‑edge satellite missions. In this role, you will lead platform‑level system engineering activities during Phase A/B1, orchestrate technical inputs from expert teams and subcontractors, and help define the mission and system architecture. You will contribute to laying the technical, programmatic, and schedule foundations that ensure mission success through the entire development lifecycle.

Tasks:

• Support the Lead System Engineer for the Phase A/B1 study.
• Coordinate technical inputs from specialist engineering departments and individual subcontractors.
• Execute trade‑offs and analyses to define the mission and system architecture.
• Lead the parts of the platform and subsystem system design as an architect, including deriving and maintaining requirements from satellite to subsystem level.
• Support Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) activities for the mission.
• Contribute to the assessment of the satellite development approach to ensure the target Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by the end of Phase B1.
• Support the definition of the overall project breakdown structure (Work Breakdown Structure) for phases B2, C/D, and E1 through in‑orbit commissioning.
• Assist in developing the programme plan for the satellite across phases B2, C/D, and E1 up to in‑orbit calibration and validation.
• Support the creation of a project implementation schedule for the platform, aligned with the overall programme planning.
  Analyse and assess potential cost drivers for the platform.
• Support the identification and evaluation of technical and programmatic risks, including cost, schedule, and feasibility drivers.
• Support the definition and implementation of risk mitigation measures for the platform.

Your Qualifications

Minimum:

• Master-level degree in aerospace engineering with a focus on space systems

• Knowledge of science, exploration and space safety space missions
• Competencies in space mission design, satellite systems engineering and spacecraft subsystem design
• High level of flexibility, willingness to work in international teams and ability to keep tight schedules
• High motivation, pro‑active working approach and strong sense of responsibility
• Excellent communication, presentation and documentation skills
• Fluency in both spoken and written (business) English

Ideal:

• Industry experience in space system engineering
• Knowledge of requirements engineering for subsystems of space systems and preparation of specifications
• Experience in Model Based Systems Engineering
• Fluency in German language