System Engineer - Sentinel-3 Next Generation Optical (S3-NG OPT)

Shape the architecture of the next generation of Sentinel-3.

For our customer, EUMETSAT in Darmstadt, Germany, we are seeking a Systems Engineer to support the development of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 Next Generation Optical (S3-NGO / S3-NG OPT) mission during its early design phase.

This is an opportunity to work upstream in the mission lifecycle, where requirements, architecture, interfaces and technical solutions are being defined and where engineering decisions can influence the future system.

You will contribute to the development of the System and Ground Segment architecture, working across requirements, interfaces, technical analyses, MBSE and design activities.

The S3-NGO mission

S3-NGO is the next generation of the optical component of the Sentinel-3 mission, building on the capabilities of OLCI and SLSTR and supporting the continuity and evolution of Sentinel-3's ocean and land observation capabilities.

Your role

Working as part of the mission development team, you will:

• Support the definition, consolidation and maintenance of System and Ground Segment requirements.
• Derive and allocate requirements from higher-level mission and system requirements to Ground Segment and subsystem levels.
• Maintain requirements allocation and traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Contribute to system architecture and design activities.
• Define and document interfaces between the System, Ground Segment and Ground Segment Elements.
• Prepare and maintain Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and related technical documentation.
• Maintain traceability between requirements and design.
• Perform technical analyses and contribute to trade-off studies.
• Contribute to performance, sizing and allocation of technical budgets.
• Support the selection and sizing of processing and hardware infrastructure.
• Prepare and maintain System Engineering models and support architecture development.
• Support the preparation and review of System, Ground Segment and GS Element design documentation.
• Review technical documentation from suppliers and lower-level Ground Segment elements.
• Raise and follow up Review Item Discrepancies (RIDs) and associated actions.
• Participate in formal engineering reviews, including SRR, PDR and CDR.
• Participate in technical meetings with EUMETSAT, partners, suppliers and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the definition and evolution of the verification approach, ensuring that requirements and design remain verifiable.

MBSE & architecture

A key aspect of this position is the use of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) to support the development of the System and Ground Segment architecture.

You will contribute to:

• Development and maintenance of System Engineering models.
• Using models to support System, Ground Segment and GS Element design.
• Linking engineering information across tools such as DOORS and Enterprise Architect.
• Maintaining traceability between requirements, architecture, design and interfaces.
• Maintaining model baselines as the design evolves.
• Extracting engineering information from models to support formal documentation and reviews.

What makes this role interesting?

• Shape the next generation of Sentinel-3 rather than working only on an already-developed system.
• Work during the early design phase, where architectural and technical decisions are still being made.
• Gain broad exposure across requirements, architecture, Ground Segment, interfaces and technical analysis.
• Apply MBSE to a real space mission.
• Work with EUMETSAT engineers, international partners and suppliers.
• Influence technical decisions that will affect the system through subsequent development phases.

This role is particularly suited to an engineer who enjoys working across disciplines and wants to see how requirements evolve into architecture, design and eventually an operational space system.

What we're looking for:

Mandatory:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or a related engineering discipline.
• At least 3 years of professional experience in Systems Engineering, preferably within the space or Earth Observation domain.
• Proven experience with requirements engineering, including definition, derivation, allocation and traceability.
• Experience with system architecture and interface definition.
• Experience preparing and reviewing technical specifications and engineering documentation.
• Knowledge of space and Ground Segment engineering processes and system/software lifecycles, ideally ECSS.
• Experience with formal engineering reviews such as SRR, PDR and CDR.
• Experience with interface management and ICDs.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work across multiple technical disciplines and communicate effectively with engineers, project teams, suppliers and external partners.

Desired:

• Experience with Ground Segment engineering.
• Hands-on experience with MBSE / SysML.
• Experience with Enterprise Architect.
• Experience with DOORS.
• Experience preparing and managing ICDs, DDFs and DJFs.
• Experience with technical budgets, performance and sizing analyses.
• Experience with processing hardware/platform selection and infrastructure sizing.
• Experience with Earth Observation missions.
• Experience with IV&V and verification planning.
• Familiarity with satellite data-processing and Ground Segment architectures.
• Knowledge of CCSDS standards.
• Experience with Python/Bash or other engineering scripting languages.

Working environment

This is a full-time position based at EUMETSAT's premises in Darmstadt, Germany.

You will work directly within the EUMETSAT engineering environment, collaborating with System and Ground Segment specialists, mission teams, international partners and suppliers.

Starting date: Planned for early 2027, subject to contract kick-off.

What can Terma offer

At Terma, we consider skilled employees, enthusiasm and job satisfaction as the very foundation of our success and as a prerequisite for the development of the “best-in-class” solutions that Terma provides. We lead the way in applying new technology, offering a wide range of growth opportunities for each individual and emphasizing mutual respect across the board in our workplace.

Terma offers you a pleasant working environment at the customer site, where you will be able to take on challenging tasks and responsibilities in a highly professional company.

Great opportunities for training and personal development

Challenges in advanced technical environment

International and cosmopolitan working atmosphere

An employment contract with an attractive package with extra-legal benefits

Highly competitive salary

Additional information

For further information, please contact Ms. Liliane Bromberg Carvalho by telephone [+49 6151 860050] or by email [[email protected]].

To ensure that your application will reach us and is properly processed please apply through the link below with an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, preferably in an Europass format and ideally, a Cover Letter.