VN 25/57 System and IVV Engineer in EPS-Sterna (2 posts)

As part of the next generation of EUMETSAT satellite programmes, the EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS-Sterna) programme aims at complementing and expanding the Microwave Sounding capability of both the EUMETSAT Polar System – Second Generation (EPS-SG) and Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) by implementing a constellation of small microwave sounding satellites, which will improve the accuracy of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models globally as well as providing frequent observations for nowcasting especially at high latitudes which are not well covered by the geostationary satellites (i.e. MSG and MTG).

EUMETSAT will be responsible of the development and operation of the EPS-Sterna System, with the satellites procured in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA), as the EPS-Sterna satellites will be recurrent models of the ESA Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) with minor adaptations. The initial constellation will be composed of six satellites in three different orbital planes that will be replenished throughout the mission lifetime of thirteen years. The EPS-Sterna programme will build on a number of existing assets from the EUMETSAT ground segment infrastructure as well as from the AWS development. This is done to ensure overall mission affordability as well as a timely delivery of the initial constellation in orbit by 2029.

In support of this new EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS-Sterna) programme, EUMETSAT has created two posts that will provide expertise in the area of System Engineering and perform System and Ground Segment Integration, Verification & Validation (IV&V) activities; one post with an additional focus on Scenario Validation and System IV&V and the other on System, Ground Segment and Sub-segment IV&V. Whilst one position may be filled internally and the decision on which of the two roles will be offered externally will be determined by the relative strengths of the candidates that apply. EUMETSAT may also recruit two external candidates for this VN if necessary.

Interview of this post will be conducted during the second half of 2025. However, the contract for the successful candidate(s) will only be issued after obtaining formal approval of the EPS-Sterna Programme by EUMETSAT Member States, expected in December 2025.

Duties

• Support maintenance and consistency of the overall requirements database in DOORS with respect to the progressing system and IV&V engineering activities;
• Refine/maintain the EPS-Sterna Verification and Validation Scenarios in Enterprise Architect that will be used in System and Ground Segment IV&V activities;
• Refine/prepare and maintain system and ground segment verification matrices and verification control documents;
• Perform preparation of test activities and execute tests for the EPS-Sterna Ground Segment and System;
• Support definition and coordination/organisation of the inter-segment compatibility tests (e.g. RF compatibility, SVTs);
  • Contribute to the functional and non-functional verification, system performances verification, system validation, until demonstration that all system level requirements and interfaces have been verified and that the system has been validated;
  • Prepare/contribute the test documentation, i.e. plans, specifications, procedures, reports as necessary;
  • Define system and ground segment test tools and test data and support procurement of the test tools when necessary;
  • Support maintenance and control of System and Ground Segment end to end integration and verification, establish and maintain Integration Control and Verification Control Databases;
  • Contribute harmonisation of the definition and execution of the EPS-Sterna sub-segments (MCO, PDP and MMEs) integration and verification.

    LOCATION Darmstadt, Germany

    QUALIFICATIONS

    University degree in a relevant disciple, i.e. engineering, computer science, or equivalent.

    LANGUAGES Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and have some knowledge of French.

    DEADLINE

    23 October 2025

    Duties

    • Support maintenance and consistency of the overall requirements database in DOORS with respect to the progressing system and IV&V engineering activities;
    • Refine/maintain the EPS-Sterna Verification and Validation Scenarios in Enterprise Architect that will be used in System and Ground Segment IV&V activities;
    • Refine/prepare and maintain system and ground segment verification matrices and verification control documents;
    • Perform preparation of test activities and execute tests for the EPS-Sterna Ground Segment and System;
    • Support definition and coordination/organisation of the inter-segment compatibility tests (e.g. RF compatibility, SVTs);
      • Contribute to the functional and non-functional verification, system performances verification, system validation, until demonstration that all system level requirements and interfaces have been verified and that the system has been validated;
      • Prepare/contribute the test documentation, i.e. plans, specifications, procedures, reports as necessary;
      • Define system and ground segment test tools and test data and support procurement of the test tools when necessary;
      • Support maintenance and control of System and Ground Segment end to end integration and verification, establish and maintain Integration Control and Verification Control Databases;
      • Contribute harmonisation of the definition and execution of the EPS-Sterna sub-segments (MCO, PDP and MMEs) integration and verification.

        Skills and Experience

        • Proven experience in the field of system engineering for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite missions;
        • Proven experience in the field of large IV&V engineering in particular in Earth Observation end-to-end space systems IV&V;
        • Proven experience in verification control of a space system;
        • Proven experience in test preparation and execution;
        • Experience in entry into operations and commissioning preparations of large technical / scientific systems is an advantage;
        • Experience in development or IV&V activities at subsegment level is considered an advantage;
        • Experience in using DOORS and Enterprise Architect is an advantage;
        • Experience in test tools definition and procurement is an advantage;
        • Experience in working under time pressure;
        • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working in a multi-disciplined team.

          Employment Conditions

          The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT.
          This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7,390 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and 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 web site.
          
          EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women.
          Please note that 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.

          About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its 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 provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users.
          
          As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)