EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, is recruiting a Junior Copernicus Spacecraft Operations Engineer (vacancy VN 26/52) in Darmstadt, Germany. The post offers an initial 2-year contract and a starting basic salary of €5,912 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances), and it is open only to nationals of EUMETSAT Member States. Applications close on 04 January 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy notice and set out every duty, requirement and condition below.
Vacancy at a Glance
🏢 Organisation: EUMETSAT
💼 Position: Junior Copernicus Spacecraft Operations Engineer
🔖 Vacancy number: VN 26/52
👤 Reports to: Sentinel-3 Spacecraft Operations Manager
📍 Location: Darmstadt, Germany
📝 Initial contract: 2 years, followed by 5-year contracts subject to conditions
📈 Grade: A1 on the EUMETSAT salary scales
💶 Starting basic salary: €5,912 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances)
🗣️ Languages: English, plus some knowledge of French
Who EUMETSAT Is Looking For
The successful candidate is a highly motivated and forward-thinking junior professional, keen to develop innovative solutions for satellite operations and to contribute to the efficient and reliable exploitation of Copernicus satellite missions.
The Team Behind Copernicus Satellite Operations
You will become a member of a dynamic and collaborative team within the Copernicus programme, engaged in the design, development, maintenance and continuous improvement of operational support tools and automation solutions for satellite operations.
The role includes close collaboration with:
🔭 Satellite operations engineers
🗓️ Mission planning teams
📡 Ground segment specialists
🤝 Other technical stakeholders
Working Across the Full Development Lifecycle
Reporting to the Sentinel-3 Spacecraft Operations Manager, you will have the opportunity to work across the full development lifecycle:
🧭 Understanding operational requirements
🧪 Prototyping solutions
💻 Software implementation
✅ Testing
📄 Documentation
🔌 Integration into operational environments
Emphasis will be placed on developing robust, maintainable and user-oriented solutions that improve the efficiency, reliability and automation of Copernicus satellite operations.
────────────────────────────────────────
🌍 All opportunities in Germany →
────────────────────────────────────────
Main Duties of the Spacecraft Operations Engineer
🗄️ Provide expertise in spacecraft databases to the spacecraft analyst and engineering teams
🔄 Coordinate the evolution of the spacecraft databases, on-board control procedures and action sequences for all Copernicus missions operated by EUMETSAT
🛠️ Coordinate the validation of deliveries of operational Flight Operations Segment tools from external developers, including the simulator and procedure editors
📐 Align and improve processes related to space segment operations across the Copernicus missions
🤖 Support the operations and maintenance teams in the definition and prototyping of automated systems for ground processes (for example alarm monitoring)
🎛️ Define and execute simulation campaigns for all Copernicus Flight Control Teams
Qualifications and Languages
🎓 University degree (or equivalent professional experience) in engineering, science, computer science or another relevant discipline
🇬🇧 Ability to work effectively in English
🇫🇷 Some knowledge of French
Skills and Experience You Need
🔍 A curious and explorative mindset, with an appetite for implementation and learning from experimentation
💪 Strong work discipline, combined with persistence and commitment to bring initiatives to meaningful outcomes despite challenges or setbacks
📚 Readiness to autonomously learn and expand your own knowledge, combined with excellent interpersonal skills and the proven ability to work in a team
🌌 A solid understanding of spacecraft design and operations fundamentals
Knowledge That Would Be Advantageous
For this role, some of the following knowledge would be advantageous:
🖥️ Familiarity with spacecraft operations procedures and databases, and mission control systems such as SCOS 2000
🐍 Familiarity with satellite simulations, Python and automation
🧰 Some knowledge of operations tools such as MOIS, PROTOS, DABYS and SCOPE
Contract Length and Long-Term Career Prospects
The initial contract will be of 2 years' duration, with subsequent 5-year contracts awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements.
There is no limit to the number of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63, and EUMETSAT states that there are opportunities to establish a long career perspective at the organisation.
Salary, Grade and Benefits
🏷️ The post is graded A1 on the EUMETSAT salary scales
💶 The starting basic salary is €5,912 per month, net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances
🤲 The starting salary may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience
📈 The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment
🔧 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 website
Who Can Apply?
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.
The 30 Member States are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and United Kingdom.
EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
About EUMETSAT
EUMETSAT's role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide.
EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provides data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users. It is an intergovernmental European Organisation with 30 Member States.
Browse more roles in the latest jobs on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Junior Copernicus Spacecraft Operations Engineer do at EUMETSAT?
The engineer provides expertise in spacecraft databases, coordinates the evolution of databases, on-board control procedures and action sequences, and coordinates the validation of Flight Operations Segment tools. The role also covers process alignment, automation prototyping and simulation campaigns for all Copernicus Flight Control Teams.
Who can apply for vacancy VN 26/52?
Only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. EUMETSAT has 30 Member States, and candidates need a university degree in engineering, science, computer science or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
What is the salary for this EUMETSAT position?
The post is graded A1, and the starting basic salary is €5,912 per month, net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances. The starting salary may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience.
How long is the EUMETSAT contract?
The initial contract lasts 2 years, followed by 5-year contracts subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the number of follow-up contracts up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63.
Which languages are required for this role?
Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.
Is experience with SCOS 2000 or Python mandatory?
These are listed as advantageous rather than essential. The essential technical requirement is a solid understanding of spacecraft design and operations fundamentals, while familiarity with mission control systems such as SCOS 2000, satellite simulations, Python and automation would be an advantage.
Where is the job based?
The position is based in Darmstadt, Germany. The engineer reports to the Sentinel-3 Spacecraft Operations Manager and works within the Copernicus programme.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline for vacancy VN 26/52 is 04 January 2027.
Deadline
⏳ 04 January 2027
Links
🔗 Apply here: https://eumetsat.onlyfy.jobs/apply/n13ohmubmbvnpfk1dx7ry7hcwbmneou
📄 Full vacancy notice: https://eumetsat.onlyfy.jobs/en/job/n13ohmubmbvnpfk1dx7ry7hcwbmneou
