Head of Ground Systems & Launch Infrastructure

Isar Aerospace SE; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Participation Program: Share

30 days of vacation

Company pension plan

Subsidised lunch

Public transport ticket

Rental clothing with laundry service

Sport Clubs membership

Individual learning allowance

Childcare allowance

And Much More!

Job summary

Isar Aerospace SE seeks a Vice President of Ground Systems to define and execute the ground infrastructure strategy supporting its launch and test capabilities. You will build a multidisciplinary organization, lead cross-functional teams, and secure sites worldwide for launches and testing.

The role involves close collaboration with governments, spaceports, and partners to drive major investments and strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• 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, 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).

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Lead negotiations and close commercial agreements, partnerships, leases, infrastructure investments, and long-term site access arrangements.
• Develop compelling business cases and secure executive and board approval for major infrastructure investments and strategic initiatives.
• Translate company objectives and roadmaps into a cohesive infrastructure development strategy.
• Lead, coach, and develop managers and engineers across Ground Systems, fostering accountability and technical excellence.
• Scale teams responsible for process facility design, civil infrastructure, mechanical systems, automation, control, cryogenic systems, and propulsion test infrastructure.
• Oversee development of launch pads, launch complexes, engine test stands, stage test facilities, propellant infrastructure, and ground support equipment.
• Drive infrastructure programs from opportunity identification through site selection, permitting, design, construction, commissioning, and handover to operating teams.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, compliantly, on schedule, and within budget with robust planning and risk assessments.
• Ensure ground systems meet high standards of safety, reliability, scalability, and operational flexibility.
• Act as a key member of the senior leadership team and contribute to Isar Aerospace's strategy and growth.]

Skills

Strategic leadership

Infrastructure strategy

Negotiation

Executive stakeholder management

Program management

Cost estimation

Risk assessment

English fluency

Education

Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Isar Aerospace SE seeks a Vice President of Ground Systems to define and execute the ground infrastructure strategy supporting its launch and test capabilities. You will build a multidisciplinary organization, lead cross-functional teams, and secure sites worldwide for launches and testing.

The role involves close collaboration with governments, spaceports, and partners to drive major investments and strategic outcomes.