Technical Project Manager – Space Domain Software
Location: Germany (Hybrid)
Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent
About the Role
Our client, an innovative NewSpace company developing advanced software solutions for satellite operations, mission planning, and space sustainability, is seeking a Technical Project Manager – Space Domain Software.
This is a hybrid technical and leadership position, combining hands‑on software engineering with project management responsibilities. You'll lead a small engineering team, manage customer‑facing projects, and play a key role in delivering software solutions across flight dynamics, Space Situational Awareness (SSA/SST), and mission operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, and operation of space software systems supporting orbit determination, orbit propagation, manoeuvre planning, and trajectory optimisation.
- Develop and maintain software for SSA/SST processing, sensor data integration, and space object catalogue management.
- Architect, develop, and review production‑grade software using Python, Java, Fortran, and orbit mechanics libraries such as Orekit or similar.
- Conduct verification and validation (V&V) activities using real mission datasets.
- Lead and mentor a team of 2–6 engineers, providing technical guidance, workload coordination, and support for career development.
- Manage end‑to‑end project delivery, ensuring technical quality, customer satisfaction, and on‑time execution.
- Work directly with satellite operators and institutional customers to gather requirements and translate operational needs into technical solutions.
- Act as the primary technical point of contact for customer projects.
- Support proposal development, technical roadmaps, and strategic engineering initiatives.
Requirements
- Master's degree or higher in Aerospace Engineering, Space Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
- Approximately 5+ years of experience within the space sector, including experience leading or coordinating technical projects.
- Strong background in flight dynamics, SSA/SST, mission operations, ground segment software, or related space software systems.
- Proven experience delivering software throughout the full development lifecycle.
- Hands‑on software development experience using Python, Java, Fortran, or similar programming languages.
- Familiarity with modern software engineering practices including CI/CD, testing, and DevOps workflows.
- Experience working directly with customers and external stakeholders.
- Previous experience mentoring or leading small engineering teams.
- Strong communication and project management skills.
- Experience working within international or distributed engineering teams.
- Valid right to work within Europe.
Nice to Have
- Experience with cloud technologies including Docker, Kubernetes, AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Knowledge of orbit mechanics libraries such as Orekit, GMAT, or equivalent.
- Experience with SSA/SST processing pipelines, sensor fusion, or space object catalogue management.
- Experience supporting proposal writing, project scoping, or technical business development.
- Previous collaboration with ESA, DLR, or other institutional space organisations.
- Knowledge of ground segment operations, mission planning, or mission control systems.
What's on Offer
- Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge software supporting the future of satellite operations and space sustainability.
- High levels of technical ownership with the ability to influence software architecture and engineering decisions.
- Leadership opportunities within a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering team.
- Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Access to professional development, training, and industry conferences.
- The opportunity to contribute to innovative projects addressing some of the biggest challenges facing the space industry.