Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer

EUMETSAT operates a fleet of Earth Observation satellites in Low Earth and Geostationary orbits including two Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites (Sentinel-3A and -3B) and two Copernicus Sentinel-6 satellites (Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B, the latter of which is currently under commissioning), and is preparing for the launch of Sentinel-3C later in 2026. EUMETSAT also plans to exploit more Copernicus satellites, for example to perform secondary objective data processing activities for CRISTAL (the Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter mission) and CIMR (the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission).

The data generated by EUMETSAT’s satellite systems and the derived products are supplied to the National Meteorological Services of EUMETSAT’s Member States in Europe, as well as to other users world-wide. This is to support a core objective of EUMETSAT to contribute to the operational monitoring of the climate and the detection of global climate changes.

Reporting to the Copernicus Data Processing Team Leader, the Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will conduct and support operations of the data processing and product extraction systems for those Copernicus missions exploited by EUMETSAT; they will also support the future evolutions of these systems. The Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will support the coordination of the operations build up for future Copernicus missions.

Please note that we may take 2 candidates from this vacancy notice.

What you’ll be doing

• Coordinate and support operations of the Copernicus payload data processing and product extraction systems delivering Level 0 to Level 2 products, including backlog-processing, anomaly reporting and investigations of anomalies;
• Support the preparation and maintenance of the operational documentation (such as operations guides, operations interface control documents, operations procedures) for the Copernicus data processing systems;
• Contribute to the performance monitoring and analysis of Copernicus data processing services, including the development of tools for monitoring the quality of products and for the production of Key Performance Indicators;
• Support data processing development activities of Copernicus missions, including the assessment of deliveries, and contribution to verification and operational validation activities;
• Prepare for the Operations of future Copernicus missions, including updating and maintaining the operational documentation (such as operations guides, operations interface control documents, operations procedures) for the Copernicus data processing systems;
• Contribute to the definition of the data and product processing concepts as well as operations preparations for future Copernicus missions;
• Support the operations preparations and commissioning activities for Copernicus missions exploited by EUMETSAT (e.g. Sentinel 3-C/D, CRISTAL, CIMR, CO2M, Sentinel-3NG and Sentinel-6NG);
• Support the medium- and long-term operations planning for Copernicus data processing systems;
• Support training activities related to Copernicus data processing;
• The main foci for this Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will be the Sentinel-3, CRISTAL and CIMR missions.

What we offer

• Excellent salary, up to Euro 8000 NET (after tax) based on skills and experience
• Flexible working time including additional flexi-leave
• Full medical coverage for employee and family
• Attractive pension
• 30 days of annual leave + 14.5 days public holidays
• Training and development support
• Relocation allowance and support (if applicable)

Requirements

Qualifications

A University degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or scientifically relevant discipline.

Skills and Experience

• Experience in the operations of complex data processing and/or product processing systems, and experience of development, verification and validation of such systems;
• Significant experience in the real- or near real-time acquisition and/or processing of data from space-borne imaging and/or sounding instruments;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, and with a minimum of supervision;
• Strong communication, interpersonal and team working skills;
• Ability to write concise and focused technical reports;
• Very good analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Familiarity with UNIX / LINUX.
• Experience in the following areas would be an advantage:
• Scripting languages (i.e. Python, bash, PERL).
• C / C++, Oracle;
• Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) formats;
• Specification, development, and validation of algorithms for meteorological or other remote sensing missions.

The holder of this post will support 24/7 operations and is therefore required to be part of an on-call rota, providing 24 hours a day on-call support including during weekends and public holidays on a regular basis.

Languages

Candidates must be able to work effectively in English.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ENGLISH. WE WILL BE UNABLE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN OTHER LANGUAGES.

EUMETSAT is an international organisation employing staff from across all 30 member states and this role is being advertised on multiple international job boards, but please note that this role would be based in Darmstadt, Germany and would require international applicants to work on site in our headquarters from day 1. Remote working is not an option for this role.

More about us

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 and Cooperating 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 can recruit nationals only from the 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).