EPS-SG Operation Preparation Engineer (EUMETSAT)

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

Serco has made significant contributions at EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, supporting a diverse array of meteorological satellite missions and projects.

Serco provides essential engineering, technical, and management services, playing a crucial role in the operations and maintenance of satellite ground segments.

Their expertise in satellite control, data processing, and system integration has earned them accolades, including 'Excellence in Service' awards from EUMETSAT.

Serco’s dedicated efforts ensure the reliable dissemination of vital weather and climate data, underscoring their commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of meteorological satellite operations.

On behalf of our customer EUMETSAT, we are looking for an EPS-SG Operation Preparation Engineer . You would be working on-site at EUMETSAT’s site in Darmstadt, with a generous distribution of working hours into the hybrid model.

Your mission is to support the operation preparation of the EPS-SG mission.

Responsibilities :

Manage the Operational Database (WODB), implement the changes requested by the satellite operation team, and validate and deploy new versions according to OPS as-built CM processes.

This also includes the management of the Satellite Reference Database (SRDB) and Satellite Characterisation Database (SCDB) delivered by the industry, the consistency checks, and their use to build a new WODB.

Each new version of a database (received or deployed) shall be documented in a database report. The management of the WODBs also includes the configuration and usage of the associated operation preparation tools and editors.

• It is also envisaged that the WODB will be subject to extensive enhancements with respect to the SRDB in order to facilitate safe and efficient operations;
• Manage the Metop-SG simulator deliveries to EUMETSAT, maintain all the SATSIM instances (including the ones at BUCC and LEOP-SP sites), and maximise availability to the users in OPIT for procedures development and testing, SSVTs, OSV, simulation campaign, and SIOV rehearsals;
• Monitor and maintain the validation status of operation procedures and static data items in coordination with the satellite team;
• Contribute to SSVT Specification Plans and support SSVT preparations and executions w.r.t. the System Ops and infrastructure needs;
• Administrate and maintain the Metop-SG simulators (SATSIM) in operational condition ensuring continuity of the service for OPIT users when new versions are delivered.

Manage scenarios, and breakpoints and provide support to review, acceptances, and anomaly management also including the deliveries to the LEOP-SP.

• Ensure training and a SATSIM backup expertise in OPIT;
• Definition and prototyping / development of Python scripts necessary to perform all routine analyses resulting in time-series data or events.
• After these have been incorporated into the CHART system by the Software Team such that their results are written to the Validation Database, the Contractor will be responsible for validating the results before authorising their release to the Operational Instance;
• Definition of report structures in XML, and if necessary, addition to the existing library of Python widgets’ used to plot and display data;
• Definition of use cases for the GS functions and list of data sets needed for Cal / Val and SDQAR (Science Data Quality Analysis and Reporting) purposes, including required timelines for provision and required retention times in the GS engineering environment;
• Coordinate the relevant inputs from members of the OPIT and Flight Operations Manuals and determine the best way to implement the required offline monitoring within the Offline A&R tool (CHART), and also play a leading role in defining how best to visualise data in the context of periodic reports.

Prioritisation of work will be coordinated with the Satellite Ops Prep team leader and re-iterated as necessary according to the project schedule and criticality of each.

Profile :

• University degree or equivalent in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related discipline
• At least 5 years of experience in Space Operations engineering
• Knowledge of ECSS E-70-41 : Telemetry and Telecommand Packet Utilisation standard
• Knowledge of mission control systems such as SCOS and OBSM application
• Knowledge of mission control systems SCOS MIB and SCOS MIB editors (e.g. DABYS)
• Knowledge of SQL and database management tools
• Knowledge of programming and scripting is advantageous
• Very good attitude to team working
• Strong interpersonal and mediation skills
• Fluent in English
• ALL CANDIDATES MUST BE ELIGIBLE TO WORK IN THE EU.

On Offer :

• Relocation allowance : including a one-way flight ticket, transportation from the airport to a temporary hotel, and one month of paid accommodation while securing permanent housing.
• Hybrid working model.
• 30% subvention on Deutschland ticket.
• Gym membership discount.
• Participation in pension and health schemes.
• 30 days of holiday.
• Serco aims to become a net-zero business by 2030.

Relocation :

Darmstadt, Germany, offers a central location in Europe, making it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air, with Frankfurt Airport being one of Europe's busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel.

Serco GmbH offers relocation support for all EU passport holders who are planning to relocate to Germany and work for EUMETSAT.

DE&I :

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Serco GMBH is based on a culture where every voice is heard, and every employee feels valued.

Working together as one team, we can enhance the experience of our people and teams, improve the value of our solutions to better serve the missions of our customers, and make an impact in our world.

About Serco :

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the likes of ESA, CNES, EUMETSAT, EUSPA, ASI and NASA.

We offer space capabilities across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development.

With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies across Europe and the globeWe work within the heart of the space sector so understand the challenges our customers face.

When it comes to recruitment we are experts in sourcing the very best talent within space engineering, earth observation, satellite communications and cyber security.

We have placed hundreds of people from post graduates through to C-suite executives into space agencies, satellite operators, manufacturers, system integrators, consultancies, earth observation / remote sensing, launch providers and much more.