Mission Ops Engineer - Mission Planning & Payload Engineering (IRIS2)

Eutelsat Communications SA; Toulouse; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Eutelsat Communications SA in Toulouse seeks a Mission Ops Engineer to join the Service & Operations team for the IRIS2 programme. You will define systems, tools and processes, and prepare for active operations at the Toulouse Control Centre, ensuring payload configuration and daily mission plan execution.

You will bridge mission planning, payload engineering and operations, collaborating with MCC, SMC and S3C teams, with on-call support and travel where needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in satellite operations, specifically covering Mission Planning/Scheduling and Payload Engineering/Operations within LEO or MEO systems.
• Strong technical understanding of RF communications payloads, digital processors, and resource allocation algorithms.
• Good experience of Ground stations (Gateways)
• Working schedule capability for 5d/7 - 8h/d plus on-call support.
• Fluent in English with very good written and verbal communication skills.
• Security Clearance & Nationality: EU-27 citizen eligible for EU security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Engineering of Operations & mission preparation: participate in the preparatory phase; produce documentation deliverables; participate in program milestones; verify segments; design and validate Payload procedures; coordinate with Constellation team.
• Support transition into active operation: participate in training and operational qualification campaigns; support E2E, Infrastructure and Service qualifications campaigns.
• Mission Planning & Resource Optimization: design mission planning workflow; configure orchestrator resources to answer OSS requests and optimize link budget; plan and report real-time activities like service activations and frequency changes.
• Payload Management & Monitoring: manage daily mission schedules and payload commands; monitor payload health and performance; support nominal and non-nominal activities.
• ITIL Process Definition & Authoring: design and maintain ITIL-based operational processes (Incident, Problem, Change, Request Fulfilment).

Skills

Satellite mission planning

Payload subsystems

RF communications

Real-time operations

Ground stations

English communication

Education

Master’s degree in Telecommunications

Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering

Related technical field

Job description

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Country/Region: FR

Connect with Eutelsat

Be part of a new era in communications, transforming connectivity with Eutelsat – the world’s first GEO-LEO integrated global satellite operator.

As a leader in satellite communications, we provide global connectivity solutions - connecting businesses, communities, and governments around the world. We can connect you at on land, at sea and in the air. We also deliver broadcast television channels and packages, transmitting vital news reports around the world.

With Eutelsat You’ll Get To:

• Pioneer the future of Space Technology
• Bring connectivity to remote frontiers
• Collaborate with customer-centric experts
• Embrace cultural diversity in our global team

In a dynamic industry where passion drives our teams to make a difference to become the most trusted partner for global satellite connectivity, you will elevate your skills in a stretching, rewarding, and meaningful environment. At Eutelsat, we’re united by inclusion and diversity, striving for gender balance and social responsibility, on Earth and in Space.

Why Eutelsat?

• Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: With colleagues from over 75 countries, we embrace our global DNA and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We are proud that one-third of our executive team and 60% of our board are represented by women.
• Ways of Working That Drive Us: As "One Team," we work collaboratively towards shared goals, with customer-centricity, respect, and inclusivity as our guiding principles.
• Sustainability at Our Core: At Eutelsat, sustainability is more than just a word; it’s woven into our strategy. We’re dedicated to balancing social, environmental, and economic growth — both on Earth and in space.
• Work-Life Balance: We offer flexible schedules and hybrid work options to help you balance your personal and professional life. At Eutelsat, we are committed to supporting your well-being and ensuring you have the flexibility you need to succeed both at work and at home.

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly skilled Mission Ops Engineer to join the Service & Operations (S&O) department for the IRIS2 programme. This unique role merges the critical domains of Mission Planning and Payload Engineering. Before the start of active operations, you will play a pivotal role in the preparatory phase (engineering of operations). You will define systems, tools, and operational processes, participate in milestone reviews, and ensure rigorous validation before transitioning into active operations at the Toulouse Control Centre to ensure optimal payload configuration and daily mission plan execution.

Who You Are:

• A versatile space professional with deep knowledge of satellite mission planning and payload subsystems.
• An analytical thinker capable of translating complex service requirements into actionable payload configurations and operational timelines.
• A proactive engineer comfortable transitioning from a design and engineering mindset to real-time active operations.
• A collaborative team member used to work closely with flight dynamics, service delivery, and system engineering teams.

Which Team You’ll join:

• Will be part of the Mission Control Centre (MCC) at the Ground Control Centre in Toulouse.
• Will liaise with the Service Management Centre (SMC) for resources planning and scheduling and with the Satellite Constellation Control Centre (S3C) for platform and payload operations coordination.

What You’ll Do:

• Engineering of Operations & mission preparation: Actively participate in the preparatory phase prior to service launch. Produce documentation deliverables, participate in program and segment milestones, follow the integration and the segments/systems verification, and design and validate Payload operational procedures and processes. Coordination with the Constellation team in charge of the design and validation of the Platform procedures.
• Support transition into active operation: participate and contribute to training and operational qualification campaigns. Support E2E, Infrastructure and Service qualifications campaigns.
• Mission Planning & Resource Optimization: Design and implement the mission planning workflow,
  • Configuring orchestrator resources (satellites, gateways, and networks) to answer OSS requests and optimize link budget throughout the mission.
  • Plan, execute, and report on real-time activities such as service activation/deactivation, frequency changes, and throughput upgrades.
  • Monitor and report on the MCC and satellite communication transport resources health and propose improvements to maximise system availability
  • Manage the Optical Inter-Satellite Link operations, in collaboration with Constellation Engineering
• Payload Management & Monitoring:
  • Managing daily mission schedules and payload commands
  • Oversee and report on payload health status, safety, and performance across the fleet. Prepare and support nominal and ah-hoc payload activities (relocations, retirements, In-Orbit Testing / IOT).
  • Lead anomaly troubleshooting and recovery in coordination with spacecraft controllers and manufacturers
• ITIL Process Definition & Authoring: Design, write, and maintain robust, ITIL-based operational processes (covering Incident, Problem, Change, and Request Fulfilment) tailored to Mission and payload operations.

What You’ll Need:

• Master’s degree in Telecommunications, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in satellite operations, specifically covering Mission Planning/Scheduling and Payload Engineering/Operations within LEO or MEO systems
• Strong technical understanding of RF communications payloads, digital processors, and resource allocation algorithms.
• Good experience of Ground stations (Gateways)
• Working schedule capability for 5d/7 - 8h/d plus on-call support.
• Fluent in English with very good written and verbal communication skills.
• Security Clearance & Nationality: Candidate must be an EU-27 citizen and eligible for an EU security clearance, which is a strict requirement for this role.

Where You’ll Work:

• Base Location: Toulouse at the IRIS2 Control Centre.
• Travel & Relocation: Flexibility for travel and potential temporary relocations to support training, integration, and operations at other EU sites and control centres.