VP Ground Systems (m/f/d)

Isar Aerospace SE; Vaterstetten; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Participation Program

30 days vacation

Company pension plan

Subsidised lunch

Public transport ticket

Rental clothing & laundry

Job summary

Isar Aerospace SE in Germany seeks a Vice President, Ground Systems, to define and execute the global launch and test infrastructure strategy, leading a multidisciplinary team across civil infrastructure, cryogenic systems, and propulsion test facilities.

You will build executive-level relationships with governments, spaceports and partners, secure site access, and deliver safe, on‑time, on‑budget infrastructure programs that enable rapid growth.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a technical discipline is required.
• 10+ years leadership in aerospace, defense, or large infrastructure environments.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale infrastructure projects from concept to commissioning.
• Experience negotiating and closing strategic infrastructure deals and partnerships.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and delivery organizations.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure development, permitting, construction, commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute the global ground infrastructure strategy and roadmap.
• Identify and secure new launch/test sites and infrastructure opportunities worldwide.
• Build executive relationships with governments, regulators, spaceports, partners, and suppliers.
• Lead negotiations and close commercial agreements, leases, and capital investments.
• Develop business cases and secure approvals for major infra investments.
• Translate vehicle roadmaps and operational needs into infrastructure strategy.
• Lead and mentor Ground Systems managers and engineers, fostering accountability and excellence.
• Oversee design, civil, mechanical, automation, cryogenic, and propulsion test infrastructure.
• Manage projects end-to-end from opportunity through handover to operations.
• Ensure safety, compliance, schedule, and budget adherence.
• Inform decisions with planning, cost estimation, and risk assessments.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Negotiation

Systems thinking

English fluency

Entrepreneurial mindset

Project leadership

Team leadership

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical/Aerospace/Civil/Chemical/Electrical Engineering

Job description

Mission Brief

As Vice President Ground Systems, you will be responsible for ensuring that Isar Aerospace has the launch and test infrastructure required to achieve its short and long-term objectives.

You will define and execute the company’s ground infrastructure strategy, identify and secure new launch and test capabilities, and lead the development and delivery of world-class ground systems. Working closely with executive leadership, customers, government agencies, regulators, spaceports, and industrial partners, you will proactively create opportunities that enable Isar Aerospace’s growth ambitions.

You will lead a multidisciplinary organization responsible for the design, development, and delivery of launch pads, launch complexes, stage test facilities, engine test stands, and ground support equipment, while personally driving the strategic initiatives, partnerships, and investments required to expand Isar Aerospace’s launch and testing footprint.

Your Role in Our Space Mission:

• Own Isar Aerospace’s global launch and test infrastructure strategy and roadmap.
• Identify, originate, and secure new launch site, test site, and infrastructure opportunities worldwide.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with governments, regulators, spaceports, industrial partners, suppliers, and other strategic stakeholders.
• Personally lead negotiations and close commercial agreements, partnerships, leases, infrastructure investments, and long-term site access arrangements that expand Isar Aerospace’s launch and testing capabilities.
• Develop compelling business cases and secure executive and board approval for major infrastructure investments and strategic initiatives.
• Translate company objectives, launch vehicle roadmaps, and operational needs into a cohesive infrastructure development strategy.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and engineers across the Ground Systems organization while fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence, speed, ownership, and continuous improvement.
• Lead and scale teams responsible for process facility design, civil infrastructure, mechanical systems, automation, control systems, cryogenic systems, and propulsion test infrastructure.
• Oversee the development of launch pads, launch complexes, engine test stands, stage test facilities, propellant infrastructure, and associated ground support equipment.
• Drive infrastructure programs from opportunity identification and concept development through site selection, permitting, design, construction, commissioning, and handover to operating teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, compliantly, on schedule, and within budget.
• Inform company‑level decisions through robust planning, cost estimation, schedule forecasting, technical trade studies, and risk assessments.
• Ensure all ground systems are designed to meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, scalability, and operational flexibility.
• Act as a key member of the senior leadership team and contribute to the overall strategy and growth of Isar Aerospace.

Qualification Checklist

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or a comparable technical discipline.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in aerospace, defense, energy, industrial infrastructure, process facilities, or comparable complex engineering environments.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects from concept through commissioning.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, negotiating, and closing strategic infrastructure opportunities and partnerships.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and project delivery organizations.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure development, permitting, construction, commissioning, and facility development processes.
• Experience managing large capital investment programs and associated financial planning.
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead high-performing organizations.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract negotiation experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Strong systems-thinking capability with the ability to balance technical, operational, commercial, and strategic considerations.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and a willingness to create opportunities where none currently exist.
• Fluent in English (C1).

Bonus Skills

• Experience developing launch infrastructure, test infrastructure, or spaceport facilities.
• Experience negotiating with government entities, regulators, or public infrastructure stakeholders.
• Existing network within the global aerospace, defense, energy, spaceport, or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience establishing international partnerships and strategic infrastructure investments.
• Experience in cryogenic systems, propulsion testing, industrial process facilities, or safety‑critical infrastructure.
• Experience building and operating engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth.

Benefits

• Employee Participation Program: Share in our success through our virtual company share program
• 30 days of vacation: Enjoy the days off to relax and recharge
• Company pension plan: Secure your future with our company pension plan, featuring a 20% employer contribution after the probation period
• Subsidised lunch: Stay energised with delicious, subsidised lunches every day
• Public transport ticket: Commute with ease using a fully financed Deutschlandticket
• Rental clothing with laundry service: Enjoy hassle‑free workwear with our convenient rental clothing and laundry service
• Sport Clubs membership: Stay fit with our sponsored sports club memberships (EGYM Wellpass)
• Individual learning allowance: Grow your skills with an individual learning budget granted after the probation period
• Childcare allowance: Receive a childcare allowance for your non-school‑age children
• And Much More! Discover additional perks and benefits when you join our team.

Who we are

We are Isar Aerospace and we are at the forefront of New Space building a modern space business to enable faster, better and cheaper access to space.

Our mission is to help democratise space and use it for good in order to improve life on Earth now and for the future generations.

We are a fast-growing company aiming to provide sustainable and environmentally friendly launch solutions for small and medium-sized satellites and constellations into Low Earth Orbit. The company is privately funded by world‑leading technology investors with strong commitment and support and our team is made of driven and talented people with a real passion for space innovation.

We’re making rockets in a way that hasn’t been done before disrupting a traditional industry. If you are up for the challenge, want to work on cutting‑edge projects and be part of a team changing the world for better, come, join us and launch your career!

Want to find out more about us?

Visit www.isaraerospace.com

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Disclaimer

Isar Aerospace SE is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to fairness and inclusivity. We do not prioritize any specific religion, gender, nationality, or background. Due to security clearance requirements, affiliations with countries listed under § 13 para. 1 no. 17 SÜG may affect the application process. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.