Clean Space and Safety Engineer

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?

On behalf of ESA, we are looking for a Clean Space and Safety Engineer to work at ESOC’s premises in Darmstadt, Germany.

Clean Space initiative focuses on making space activities more sustainable by addressing environmental impact across the full mission lifecycle, from launch systems and fuel use to space debris, helping protect both Earth and space for the future.

About the client and location

The European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) based 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

The scope of work will include:

• Supporting the procurement of T&V activities and attending related meetings as requested by the Head of the Clean Space Office.
• Responsibility for the management of the workplan and other Clean Space industrial activities related to space debris.
• Contributing to the organisation, preparation, and close‑out of reviews.
• Ownership of software change requests (SCRs) across delivered and existing software.
• Overseeing the installation, validation, and management of SCRs.
• Contributing to the acceptance process, clearing final deliveries, and installing software in collaboration with ICT.
• Coordinating with the Space Safety Programme (S2P) IT group on the deployment and operation of SD‑related IT infrastructure and software and representing the CS Office in coordination meetings.
• Providing support to the Head of the CS Office in the development and definition of plans.
• Supporting outreach activities within the CS area.
• Contributing to the technical management and coordination of activities.

Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in space engineering, with preferred exposure to Clean Space topics.
• Demonstrated general knowledge at both spacecraft and subsystem levels.
• Proven experience in participating in international industrial contracts.
• Demonstrated general knowledge of robotics, GNC, and environmental LCA.
• 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.

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• General knowledge of deorbiting systems.
• Understanding of ecodesign principles.

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 are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.