Job Description

VN 25/75 Copernicus Ground Segment System Engineer

The Ground Segment System Engineer is a member of the Ground Segment Systems Engineering Competence Area (GSSE) within the Satellite System Ground Segments Division (SGS). The engineer participates in system and ground segment engineering activities of the different programmes, projects and initiatives within EUMETSAT in which the Satellite System Ground Segments Division (SGS) is involved. In addition, the engineer participates in ground segment activities at the level of definition, design, specification, implementation and IV&V.

The post holder contributes to Copernicus missions in the area of System level and Ground Segment System Engineering, to fulfil the relevant divisional and departmental objectives of the organisation.

This position supports the Third Party Programmes in accordance with the respective annual memos on HR planning.

Duties

Provision of support to the whole organisation based on agreed requests in the areas of ground segment system engineering architectural and detailed design and ground segment IV&V.
Support to the definition and evaluation of ground segment system level architectural trade-offs, concepts and design decisions to be documented in relevant Design Justification and Design Reports.
Support to the specification and definition/consolidation of ground segment requirements and their apportionment into its different elements composing a given ground segment functional chain.
Support to the definition and control of ground segment interfaces.
Support to discussions aimed at improving the EUMETSAT approach to ground segment system engineering.
Support to the technical discussions with EUMETSAT partner agencies for apportionment of system drivers and consolidation, specification/review and control of ground segment external interfaces.

Contribution to the ground segment IV&V plans, specifications and procedures.
Contribution to the generation of ground segment system level design documentation in support to the different system and ground segment related reviews.
Conduct and monitoring of studies in the relevant ground segment system engineering areas.
Management of industrial contracts/services in the area of responsibility.
Develop and maintain knowledge and skills of ground segment system engineering as well as undertake focused industrial and technological watch in the areas related to the assigned role in the organisation.

LOCATION

Darmstadt, Germany

QUALIFICATIONS

University degree (or equivalent) in system engineering or other relevant discipline.

LANGUAGES

The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.

DEADLINE

30 January 2026

Duties

Provision of support to the whole organisation based on agreed requests in the areas of ground segment system engineering architectural and detailed design and ground segment IV&V.
Support to the definition and evaluation of ground segment system level architectural trade-offs, concepts and design decisions to be documented in relevant Design Justification and Design Reports.
Support to the specification and definition/consolidation of ground segment requirements and their apportionment into its different elements composing a given ground segment functional chain.
Support to the definition and control of ground segment interfaces.
Support to discussions aimed at improving the EUMETSAT approach to ground segment system engineering.
Support to the technical discussions with EUMETSAT partner agencies for apportionment of system drivers and consolidation, specification/review and control of ground segment external interfaces.

Contribution to the ground segment IV&V plans, specifications and procedures.
Contribution to the generation of ground segment system level design documentation in support to the different system and ground segment related reviews.
Conduct and monitoring of studies in the relevant ground segment system engineering areas.
Management of industrial contracts/services in the area of responsibility.
Develop and maintain knowledge and skills of ground segment system engineering as well as undertake focused industrial and technological watch in the areas related to the assigned role in the organisation.

Skills and Experience

Background in Meteorological and/or Earth Observation systems and ground segments (both mission control and data processing and preferably with multi-programme elements/components) design and development following well established system engineering processes and design standards (e.g. ECSS, OMG) for 24/7 operational systems.
Relevant experience in the areas of requirements engineering, design concepts, architecture, specification, procurement, production, implementation, deployment, operations and maintenance of large systems and ground segments and/or subsystems
Competence and experience in managing requirements from the definition phase through the maintenance, traceability, verification and validation stages using formal methods and tools (e.g. DOORS).
Practical experience in using UML/SysML MBSE based tools for supporting/documenting the design of ground segment systems.
Experience in working/leading small teams, strong interpersonal and communications skills, and strengths in analysis, synthesis and presentation of complex problems and solutions.

Employment Conditions

The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7340 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site.

EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT.