Copernicus IV&V Engineer

Closing date

The closing date for applications is 17 September.

Job Introduction

Serco has made significant contributions at EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, supporting a diverse range of meteorological satellite missions and projects. Serco provides essential engineering, technical, and management services, playing a crucial role in the operation and maintenance of satellite ground segments. Our expertise in satellite control, data processing, and system integration has earned the company accolades, including “Excellence in Service” awards from EUMETSAT. Serco’s dedicated efforts ensure the reliable dissemination of vital weather and climate data, underscoring our commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of meteorological satellite operations.

We are looking for Copernicus IV&V Engineers to join our team for the Copernicus Mission Development Engineering and IVV Service in EUMETSAT, to support with the ground segment and system development for the Copernicus expansion missions, specifically CRISTAL and CIMR. Your mission is to work on engineering activities for requirements definition/consolidation and early design phases; as well as engineering activities for detailed design phases and build-up phases; and engineering activities for IV&V at System, Ground Segment, and Ground Segment Element level.

Key responsibilities

Integration, Verification & Validation

• Prepare, execute and maintain test specifications and procedures for IV&V at system, ground segment and GS element levels
• Develop and support test tools, environments and data
• Plan and participate in test campaigns and verification control boards
• Maintain verification evidence, anomaly records and verification control documents with clear traceability to requirements and test results

Requirements, Design & Engineering

• Maintain system and ground segment requirements using DOORS, supporting requirement allocation and traceability across project phases
• Contribute to ground segment and subsystem design using system engineering models and design tools
• Define and document system and ground segment interfaces; support trade-off studies and technical selection
• Participate in formal reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, FAT, OSAT, SIVVR) and manage documentation through the project lifecycle

Mission Data Processing & Technical Engagement

• Support preparation and acceptance testing of payload ground facilities and data processing elements (CO2M, CRISTAL and CIMR)
• Contribute to integration, verification and validation of mission data processing functions and the CFDP Front-End Processor
• Participate in end-to-end ground segment testing
• Involved in technical and programme reviews, coordinate with partner organisations and support verification status tracking

Required Skills & Experience - Essential

• Master's degree in Space, Aerospace, Systems, Computer Science or related discipline
• Minimum 4–5 years of professional experience in Systems Engineering and IV&V at system and ground segment level for Earth Observation missions, including demonstrable experience in data processing systems and end-to-end processing chains
• Strong technical documentation writing skills; ability to produce accurate and consistent requirements, test specifications, test procedures and test reports
• Experience writing technical requirements and establishing allocation and traceability using tools such as DOORS
• Experience in interface management and definition, including preparation and management of Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
• Formal testing experience (FAT/OSAT), including preparation of test procedures and participation in Test Readiness Reviews and Test Review Boards
• Experience preparing and maintaining Verification Control Documents (VCDs) and participating in formal verification control processes including Verification Control Boards (VCBs)
• Experience with system engineering modelling languages (SysML) and architectural design tools (Enterprise Architect)
• Knowledge of space and ground system engineering processes and lifecycles, including ECSS standards
• Experience in operational environments under strict configuration management and change control procedures
• Demonstrated experience with Linux operating systems
• Fluent English (spoken and written)
• Strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability and high degree of working autonomy

Required Skills & Experience - Desirable

• Knowledge of CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) and experience with CCSDS standards
• Experience preparing and managing test data sets in CCSDS and NetCDF formats
• Experience with test management tools such as Jira Xray
• Experience with test data generators and simulators using Python or bash scripting
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automated testing tools (GitLab CI/CD, Jenkins)
• Experience with Satellite Mission Control Systems IV&V
• Knowledge of spacecraft and/or ground segment operations
• Familiarity with IT/ground segment technologies (databases, virtualisation, containerisation, networking)

Package Description

• Relocation allowance (flight to Germany, airport transport, one month paid accommodation).
• Hybrid working model for flexibility.
• 30% discount on the Deutschland ticket for easy travel.
• Subsidised Wellpass – access to 12,500+ fitness and wellness options across Germany.
• Pension and health schemes.
• Corporate Benefits discounts
• 30 days of holiday for balance and exploration