Ground Operation Engineer

Posting Start Date: 3 Nov 2025

Location: Darmstadt, DE

Company: Serco Plc

Package Description

  • 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.
  • Private pension scheme.
  • Corporate Benefits discounts.
  • 30 days of holiday.

 

Job Introduction

Serco has made significant contributions at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, supporting a wide range of space missions and projects. Serco provides essential engineering, technical, and management services, playing a key role in logistics and operational support for missions. Their expertise in spacecraft operations, ground systems, and data processing has earned them recognition, including 'Best in Domain' awards from ESA. Their long-standing partnership with ESA reflects their commitment to excellence and innovation in the space sector, ensuring successful mission outcomes and advancing space exploration.

Are you fascinated about Space? Do you have a background in operational procedures and special operations requests during all mission phases and have experience in assessing and resolving anomalies related to the Ground Segment? You could be our new Ground Operation Engineer. Come and join talented diverse Serco team at the Serco Spacecraft Operations Centre (S2OC) based in Darmstadt, Germany.

Key Responsibilities

As Ground Operation Engineer you will join our future Flight Operation teams within Earth Observation domain and will concentrate your activities on the following:

  • Support routine operations of the ground segment within FOS and participate in preparation phases of the mission
  • Execution of operational procedures and special operations requests during all mission phases
  • Responsible for assessing and resolving anomalies related to the Ground Segment relevant to the role
  • Operational Procedure generation/update under the strict configuration control
  • Support the execution of Ground Segment and Satellite testing, and take the role of Test Coordinator
  • Close coordination with the FCT for ground system tests and validations
  • Daily monitoring of the ground segment elements of responsibility to assess health and performances, and identify trends and anomalies
  • Participation and execution of the tasks related to the ground segment during the LEOP, Commissioning and End of Mission campaigns
  • Maintenance and generation of relevant NOC procedures and maintaining FOS Ground segment documentations
  • Support Serco's Space Academy in delivering inputs or technical content
  • Deliver technical inputs to the Team Coordinator in the required area

About S2OC

Serco manages complex space related operations at its centre delivering vital services to multiply Customers across Europe. These services span from Spacecraft Operations to consultancy services. We are currently delivering Copernicus operations services, Infrastructure operations and maintenance, Space Academy and other services to internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Do you think you are the person we are looking for? See below what experience or knowledge you should bring:

  • Basic knowledge in Ground segment , with initial experience in operational environment
  • Experience within European or similar Operations environment is a strong asset
  • Proficient knowledge in ground station system, Preparation and execution of the ground segment test
  • Experience in anomalies investigation and resolution, report generation is a strong asset but not must
  • Excellent written and communication skills
  • Previous experience in LEOP campaign will be an asset