Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?
We are looking for a
Space Debris Engineer
to work at
ESA
's premises in
Darmstadt, Germany
.
The Space Debris Office provides technical and managerial support to ESA's Space Safety programme and is responsible for S3T (Spanish Space Surveillance and Tracking) and HSTR (Hellenic Space Tracking Radar) projects and provides expert support to projects addressing the space debris environment.
About the client and location
The European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) is the
European Space Agency's (ESA)
base in
Darmstadt, Germany
. As the main control centre for ESA, ESOC controls the launch and early orbit phases for their missions. They are also accepted globally for their research into ground system engineering, satellite navigation, space debris studies and more.
Tasks and activities
* Monitor & Analyse Space Environments:
Gathering, processing, and maintaining up-to-date information on the status of space debris and space traffic.
* Advise on Mitigation Strategies:
Supporting ESA Technical Responsible in advising missions and projects on operating in congested environments and during atmospheric re-entry, providing insights on available mitigation measures.
- Support Research & Studies:
Contributing to ESA projects that study space debris and destructive re-entry environments.
- Contribute to Tool Development:
Providing technical expertise for defining requirements, preparing Statements of Work (SOW), procurement, negotiation, and management of contracts to upgrade and maintain the Debris Mitigation Facility (DMF) and related tools.
- External Collaboration:
Assisting in setting up and monitoring external mitigation analysis support contracts, validate and approve deliverables, and collaborate with European academia through development contracts supporting IADC-related work.
- DMF Management:
Overseeing DMF software releases, manage the installer environment and maintain up-to-date documentation.
- Standards & Compliance:
Supporting ESA internal activities as well as ISO and ECSS efforts related to environmental, space debris, and space traffic standards.
- User Support:
Offering DMF user support via online space debris support platforms.
- Technical Simulations:
Running analyses using DRAMA, Scarab, and propagators, and document the outcomes.
Skills and experience
The following skills and experience are mandatory:
* Master's Degree
or equivalent in Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics or IT.
* At least
4 years of experience
in
orbital
mechanics, coordinate systems,
space debris
(observation, modelling, mitigation), orbit determination,
collision risk assessment
, avoidance manoeuvres, and modern software/system engineering practices.
* Proven experience with key tools such as DISCOS,
DRAMA
/DMF, MASTER, PROOF, and DELTA.
* Experience in
defining, implementing, validating, and operating
software
using Linux, scripting, Fortran, C++, Python, databases (PostgreSQL, relational & non-relational), Git, configuration management, and web technologies with attention to security.
* Practical experience in
satellite operations
, routine software system processes, data retrieval, and interfacing with specialized services.
* Ability to develop solutions to complex technical, mathematical and dynamical problems in collaboration with customers and experts.
* Desire to work both autonomously and as part of a team, in an international multicultural environment.
* Solution oriented mindset, with a customer focused communication skill.
* Fluent in English, both written and spoken. French is an asset.
The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:
* Experience in programme and project support, including technical expertise for meetings, reviewing and accepting deliverables, tracking contractor actions, preparing reports and presentations, coordinating with related activities, and providing software/user support.
* Familiarity with IADC, standardisation activities, and ESA's Space Safety Programme.
* Proven experience managing external collaborations and interfaces.
* Strong background in Linux, network services and protocols, system administration, with a basic understanding of hardware (PCs, RAID, backups) and working knowledge of Apple/Mac environments.
* Support and follow-up of Research Fellows, YGTs, OSIP activities, interns, and master's students, adapting internal work plans accordingly.
* Experience supporting and managing data acquisition processes.
Why should you apply?
You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; flexible relocation support.
We welcome applications from people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, all genders, LGBTQ+ individuals and ex-service personnel.
About Starion
Starion is a rebranded entity from the RHEA Group, specializes in space consultancy and engineering solutions across Europe. With over 30 years of expertise, we support space, defense, and critical infrastructure projects, driving innovation through AI, quantum, and system engineering. Our teams work on pioneering space missions, delivering cutting-edge solutions tailored to our clients' needs. Strategically located near client offices in Europe, we ensure agility and responsiveness. Our engineers and researchers are industry leaders, developing space-based technologies that tackle global challenges like civil security, climate change, and deforestation.