Space R&D Operations Lead

WIA-Europe; Sassenheim; Hybrid; EUR 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working options

Annual bonus

Personal development budget

Company bicycle & fitness plan

27 days annual leave

One-year contract with potential for L

Job summary

cosine Remote Sensing is seeking an Operations Manager to act as the operational backbone for our scientists and engineers, enabling them to focus on breakthrough space mission work. You will streamline processes, coordinate projects, and develop scalable workflows across R&D programs, from planning to reporting.

Your role blends hands-on execution with strategic organisation, driving efficiency and cross‑functional collaboration while growing into broader leadership over time.

Qualifications

• MSc, Eng or PhD in a scientific, engineering or technical discipline (PhD assets).
• Several years of experience in a research, engineering, deep-tech, aero-space or R&D-intensive environment.
• Experience coordinating complex technical projects including planning, budgeting, estimation and stakeholder management.
• Ability to improve processes, implement structure and drive operational excellence.
• Strong stakeholder management to influence highly educated professionals.
• Excellent analytical and organisational skills with a pragmatic hands-on mindset.
• Strong service-oriented mindset focused on enabling teams and removing obstacles.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of operational and administrative processes that support scientific and engineering projects
• Support planning and execution of R&D projects including effort estimations, resource planning, progress tracking and project reporting
• Develop, standardise and improve workflows, procedures and reporting structures, including procurements, across the remote sensing business unit of cosine
• Act as a trusted partner to our scientists and engineers, helping them complete operational and project-related requirements while minimising disruption to their technical work
• Provide management with operational and project portfolio insights, identify improvement opportunities and contribute to the professionalisation and scalability of the organisation

Skills

MSc/Eng/PhD qualification

Project coordination

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Service mindset

Education

MSc / Eng / PhD degree

Job description

cosine Remote Sensing is seeking an Operations Manager to act as the operational backbone for our scientists and engineers, enabling them to focus on breakthrough space mission work. You will streamline processes, coordinate projects, and develop scalable workflows across R&D programs, from planning to reporting.

Your role blends hands-on execution with strategic organisation, driving efficiency and cross‑functional collaboration while growing into broader leadership over time.