Junior Ground Stations System Engineer (Darmstadt / Germany)

Short company description

About EUMETSAT – Trusted in Space. Essential on Earth.

Since 1986, EUMETSAT, Europe’s meteorological satellite agency, has monitored weather and climate from space. From its headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, it operates fleets of satellites observing the Earth system and delivers real-time, 24/7 data and imagery to its 30 member states to help protect communities and support critical sectors of their economies.

As it marks its 40th anniversary in 2026, EUMETSAT looks back on four decades of achievements in Earth observation for weather and climate. Today, it plays a central role in the international meteorological satellite system, contributing observations that support forecasting and climate monitoring in its member states and beyond.

Requirements

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
- Strong motivation to develop towards full professionalism in an international environment in the area of Ground Stations System Engineering;
- Readiness to learn / expand the own knowledge combined with excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to work in a team;
- For this role some of the following would be advantageous: Background in system engineering in electronics or telecommunication as much as possible related to ground stations; Initial experience in testing, integrating, verifying and/or validating systems.

QUALIFICATIONS
A university degree (or equivalent) in Telecommunications Engineering or relevant scientific discipline.

LANGUAGES
Candidates must be able to work effectively in English.

Responsibilities

Ready to launch your career with Europe’s meteorological satellite agency? At EUMETSAT, we are not just monitoring the weather and climate from space—we are shaping the future of weather and climate science, 24/7, 365 days a year.

As part of the Technical and Scientific Support (TSS) department, the Satellite Ground Segment (SGS) Division is in charge of providing coherent and cost-efficient technical, scientific, project control and costing solutions for the development and operations of satellite systems. As a member of the Ground Stations Competence Area (GS CA) within the SGS Division, the Junior Ground Stations System Engineer will provide ground station engineering support to the maintenance and evolutions of the EUMETSAT’s Ground Stations network.

Whist learning all the intricacies of the EUMETSAT Ground Stations spread around the World, you will also acquire fundamental knowledge of space to ground and ground to space communications. You will also be and active member in support of the expansion of both the ground network and the LEO and GEO spacecraft fleet.

Be part of a dynamic team where your efforts contribute to a greater purpose!

DUTIES
- Contribute to procurements of new ground stations, upgrades and maintenance and support services, and follow-up the execution of contracts;
- Support the definition of requirements and specifications for ground station upgrades or new ground stations;
- Support the assembly, integration and testing of new ground stations procured from industry;
- Learn the relevant aspects of ground segment and system integration, verification and validation activities;
- Familiarise with the definition and implementation of maintenance plans for ground stations;
- Acquire knowledge on ECSS/CCSDS standards for ground stations engineering and hands on experience on link budgets engineering and supporting tools.

Other info

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

The initial contract will be of 2 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 A1 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 5,912 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.

Benefits

• Annual bonus
• Relocation bonus
• Medical subscription
• Dental subscription
• Medical insurance
• Life insurance
• Gym membership
• Private pension