Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Introduction

As a Spacecraft Operations Engineer, you will join our Flight Operations Team, working at the heart of Sentinel‑1 mission operations. In this mission‑critical role, you will take direct responsibility for the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of spacecraft systems, supporting a programme that delivers essential Earth observation services to users across Europe and beyond.

The Community You'll Step Into

You will join a small, highly experienced Flight Operations community working at the heart of Europe's space missions. This is a team where trust, professionalism, and shared responsibility are fundamental, and where engineers rely on one another to deliver safe and reliable spacecraft operations in a truly mission‑critical environment.

The community is international, technically diverse, and strongly collaborative, bringing together Serco engineers and mission partners at ESOC. Knowledge‑sharing, clear communication, and high‑quality handovers are part of everyday life, ensuring continuity across shifts and mission phases.

The Difference You'll Make

In this role, you will do more than operate spacecraft — you will protect a mission that matters.

Every decision you make, every procedure you execute, and every anomaly you help resolve will contribute to the continuous flow of Sentinel‑1 Earth observation data, enabling insights that underpin environmental monitoring, climate resilience, emergency response, and security across Europe and beyond.

You will be trusted with responsibility few roles can offer: safeguarding spacecraft that orbit silently above the Earth, ensuring they remain healthy, available, and delivering value every single day. In moments of routine operations and in moments of pressure, your judgement will help keep the mission on track.

Your Mission

Your mission is to ensure the safe, reliable, and continuous operation of Sentinel‑1, protecting spacecraft health while enabling the uninterrupted delivery of mission‑critical Earth observation services. Through disciplined operations, sound technical judgement, and calm decision‑making under pressure, you will help keep the mission stable, resilient, and performing at its best.

You will act as a trusted guardian of the spacecraft — executing operations with precision, responding effectively to anomalies, and continuously strengthening systems and procedures so the mission can deliver long‑term value. In doing so, your work will help turn complex space operations into dependable services that support environmental monitoring, security, and societal wellbeing here on Earth.

What you'll be doing

• Taking ownership of the operations of one Sentinel‑1 spacecraft subsystem, aligned to your technical expertise.
• Executing operational procedures and special operations requests across all mission phases under strict configuration control
• Generating, maintaining, and updating operational procedures in accordance with established operational rules and quality standards
• Supporting Ground Segment operations, with the opportunity to take on the role of Test Coordinator
• Acting as backup responsible for one or more elements of the Ground System infrastructure
• Participating in and executing tasks associated with the Sentinel‑1A End‑of‑Mission campaign, within your defined subsystem scope
• Producing, updating, and maintaining Flight Operations Segment (FOS) documentation
• Developing and maintaining supporting software tools (e.g. MS Excel, MS Access, VBA, Python) to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of flight operations
• Supporting Mission Planning activities, where applicable
• Providing on‑call support as part of the defined operational rota
• Delivering technical inputs and recommendations to the Team Coordinator within your area of expertise
• Supporting first‑line operations when required, including shift cover during weekends or public holidays

This role offers exposure to highly structured, real‑world spacecraft operations, where attention to detail, procedural discipline, and sound engineering judgement are essential.

What we're looking for

Do you see yourself operating at the sharp end of spaceflight? We're looking for engineers who are technically capable, operationally disciplined, and motivated by responsibility.

You will bring:

• You will have at least five years experience in Spacecraft Operations, ideally including significant time as a subsystem or system engineer.
• Strong knowledge of spacecraft systems, with proven experience in a spacecraft operations environment
• Knowledge of spacecraft subsystem hardware
• Previous responsibility for a spacecraft subsystem on another mission
• Proficiency in spacecraft subsystem operations (desirable)
• Experience investigating anomalies, resolving operational issues, and producing clear technical reports
• Experience within the ESOC environment (strong asset)
• Familiarity with ESOC Mission Control Systems and simulators
• Programming experience (e.g. Python, VBA) is beneficial, but not mandatory
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

What we offer: More than just a job

At Serco, you'll be part of a mission‑focused organisation supporting some of Europe's most critical space programmes. You'll work alongside experts in a highly professional operations environment, with opportunities to deepen your technical expertise while contributing directly to the success and safety of operational space missions.

Joining Serco isn't just about the work—it's about the experience. We know that moving for a role like this is a big step, so we make sure you're supported every step of the way:

• Relocation allowance (flight to Germany, airport transport, one month paid accommodation).
• Hybrid working model for flexibility.
• 30% discount on the Deutschland ticket for easy travel.
• Subsidised Wellpass – access to 12,500+ fitness and wellness options across Germany.
• Pension and health schemes.
• 30 days of holiday for balance and exploration.

This isn't just a job—it's a chance to build a career in space operations while enjoying a lifestyle that supports you every step of the way.

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