Ground Station Engineer

Job Introduction

We have an exciting (and challenging) opening for a Ground Station Engineer in Darmstadt. 

Dynamic, Energetic, Entrepreneurial, Highly Motivated, Resilient … If this describes you then we would love to hear from you :) Come and join talented diverse Serco team at the European Organisation for the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) based in Darmstadt, Germany. 

European Space Operations Centre (ESOC), Darmstadt, Germany, tracks and controls European spacecraft, and develops and manages ground systems. As Europe’s centre of excellence for satellite operations, ESOC is home to the engineering teams that control spacecraft in orbit and build the systems on the ground that support missions in space.

More here

Discover the offer below and click on ‘Apply’ if you know that your skillset and talents are a suitable match for this opportunity.

• Serco – The employer of choice for a career within the Space Sector.

Serco are a trusted provider of services to National Space Agencies and the European Space Agency (ESA), we have over 40 years’ experience supporting the space sector and providing services for all stages of our customer’s space missions.

• Join our community of space specialists across Europe

We are proud to support the European institutional Space landscape: Serco boasts an extensive network of Space professionals located at our offices in Darmstadt, Noordwijk, Frascati, Paris and Madrid, all within close proximity of our two largest space sector customers, European Space Agency/European Space Operations Centre (ESA/ESOC) and European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT).

• Supporting Women in Aerospace

Diversity and Inclusion is extremely important to us. Supporting women's opportunities, development and visibility in the space sector is key and that is why we are proud members and supporters of Women in Aerospace Europe, a dynamic and global network supporting women's careers in Aerospace.

Women in Aerospace Europe (WIA-E) – Supporting women in STEM (wia-europe.org)  

DISCLAIMER: Please inform your Service Manager or Contract Manager before applying for internal positions outside your team

Role Responsibility

As Ground Station Engineer you will report to the Head of Ground Station Subsystem and Configuration Control section and you will concentrate on the following activities:

• Definition of technical specifications and requirement for ESTRACK (ESA network of tracking stations) upgrades
• Provision of technical expertise in the assessment of technical documents
• Support to design review, factory and site acceptance tests
• Support in preliminary prototype and boarding activities including technical evaluation
• Engineering support for ESTRACK upgrades including documentation and configuration control updates for smaller upgrades.
• Produce, update and maintain drawings and presentation for OPS-GS, especially all ESTRACK ground station diagram
• Monitor and update calibration status of all Ground Segment Test equipment by coordinating thought external contractor/suppliers
• Participation in reviews related to ESTRACK upgrades, system and sub-system.
• Populate/update/review the ECDB database (ESTRACK Configuration Database)

Successful Candidate

• Knowledge of architecture and design of ground stations.
• Experience of integration and upgrading of larger system including testing and validation
• Expertise in the use of drawing tools for production of large diagrams (like MS Visio)
• Good knowledge in database organisation, documentation and configuration control
• Strong problem solving skills together with planning and organisational skills
• Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities
• High proficiency of English and availability to travel (depending on mission, working across global sites as required)
• Experience working for or knowledge of ESA (ESOC) is desirable
• Good knowledge of MS Office suite.

Do you think you are the person we are looking for? See below what experience or knowledge you should bring:

Package Description

What we offer if you join our amazing team:

• Competitive Salary 

• Corporate Benefits Package 

• Company events

About the Company

Why should you join Serco ?

At Serco not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play.

Meaningful and vital work - You’ll contribute to methodologically intercepting challenges whilst achievements will also be recognised and celebrated.

A world of opportunity - You’ll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression

Great people - You’ll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team who believe passionately in the value of our work. We are a company passionate about diversity and inclusion. 

About Serco

Serco is responsible for the Network Operations Centre (NOC) services at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC).The Network Operations Centre provides the 24h/7 remote operations services of the ESTRACK ground station network. As part of this service, Serco provides the first line Operations Control Centre (OCC) maintenance and operations services at ESOC. 

We manage the Operational Computer and Communications Infrastructure and ESTRACK ground stations for the European Space Agency at European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). This infrastructure supports operational and support systems including Ground stations, Mission Control, Flight Dynamics, Simulators, Mission analysis, general  support, Firewalls, Network and systems management facilities and Operational communications network for data and voice services

Important:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility, as required by law.

Applicants are reminded that they will be requested to produce such documentation during the recruitment process.

Please contact a member of the recruitment team if you require further details of acceptable types of documentation required for verification of identity and work authorization. 

Data Protection:

For more information on how the personal data in your application is process, please see the link Data Protection policy here. 

Serco European Agencies