EUMETSAT operates a growing fleet of Earth observation satellites, comprising four Meteosat geostationary (GEO) satellites of the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) and Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) series, and two Metop low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. A further five Meteosat Third Generation and six Metop Second Generation satellites are currently in preparation for launch.

In addition, EUMETSAT operates several LEO satellites of the Sentinel-3 and Sentinel-6 missions on behalf of the European Commission’s Copernicus programme, while also preparing for the launch of further satellites to continue these missions or support new ones such as the Carbon Dioxide Monitoring (CO2M) mission supporting the monitoring of Climate Change.

Within the Flight Operations (FLO) Division of the Operations and Services to Users (OPS) Department, the Meteosat spacecraft team is in charge of operating the MSG and MTG satellites already in orbit while working in parallel towards the launch of recurrent MTG satellites.

In the Meteosat spacecraft team, reporting to the Meteosat Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM), the Spacecraft Operations Team Leader coordinates the assigned activities for the planning, preparation and execution of MSG space segment operations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for routine operations of the three operational MSG satellites and, in close collaboration with the MTG-I and MTG-S team leaders, directly contribute to operations of MTG-I1 and preparatory activities for the launch, commissioning and operations of subsequent MTG satellites.

Duties

The main duties of the post will be as follows:

• Planning and executing routine operations of the multi-satellite Meteosat Second Generation space segment, including conduct of contingency operations as necessary;
• Planning and executing spacecraft special (satellite relocations, reconfigurations, etc.) and end-of-life operations (technology tests, decommissioning and disposal);
• Coordinating the investigation of MSG satellite anomalies, including liaising with industrial providers of satellite routine operations support;
• Coordinating satellite performance evaluations and trend analyses to monitor in-flight behaviour of the MSG satellites;
• Coordinating the preparation and maintenance of operations procedures and databases for the MSG satellites as required for routine, contingency, special, and end-of-life operations;

• Coordinating operational management, and supporting maintenance, of the MSG satellite simulator;
• Supporting preparation and execution of the annual Meteosat Mission Lifetime Review;
• Supporting maintenance and evolution of the MSG operational ground segment where necessary;
• Supporting operational management of the GEO Mission Control Centre (GEO MCC) systems;
• Supporting the introduction of new Meteosat operational services;
• Supporting activities of the MTG development programme, including system and satellite operations preparation, pre-launch Satellite Verification Tests (SVTs) and Operational Scenario Verification (OSVs), and operational transition planning;
• Assisting in the provision of training to Operations Team personnel;
• Deputising for the Meteosat Spacecraft Operations Manager as required.

Skills and Experience

The successful candidate will have practical experience in one or more of the following:

• Routine operations of geostationary satellites;
• Operations preparation in a satellite system development project, preferably a complex and/or a geostationary satellite system;
• Knowledge or spacecraft assembly, integration and test;
• Experience of project, team or technical coordination/management;
• Basic computer system architecture theory, knowledge and skills as applicable to satellite control facilities and simulators;
• Ability to understand and synthesise complex issues, to express ideas and issues clearly (i.e. analysis, synthesis and presentation skills);
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to apply these to interactions within a team and between teams.

One or more of the following would be considered advantageous:

• Experience in development or operations of Earth observation/remote sensing satellite systems, preferably in an international environment;
• Experience in LEOP and Commissioning Operations;
• Knowledge of system engineering standards and methodologies in aspects relevant to space operational systems.