HEAD OF SPACE SYSTEMS

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Head of Space Systems

DESIGNATION GMN-AERO-01

LOCATION ZONE Guimarães, Portugal

CONTRACT TYPE Full-time

SECURITY VETTING DIRECTIVE // MANDATORY REQUIREMENT

Requirements

This job position requires a mandatory National Security Clearance. Candidates must meet the essential NATO security requirements to be eligible for certification:

• ■ Nationality: Active citizenship of a NATO member state.
• ■ Background Check: Clean criminal record and a clean financial/legal history.
• ■ Vetting Authorization: Formal consent to personal, professional and security background vetting.

SUPPORT PROTOCOL: Gaman will actively assist the selected candidate throughout the vetting process and fully cover all associated costs. Please note that obtaining and holding this security clearance is a strict requirement for contract signature and onboarding.

01 / Objective & Overview

Leads the research, design, development and qualification of space assets at Gaman, including small satellites, satellite sub-systems, payload engineering, orbital mechanics, and ground-segment infrastructure. Provides technical authority across the full mission lifecycle — from concept definition and preliminary design review (PDR) through critical design review (CDR), integration, launch, and on-orbit operations. Acts as primary interface with ESA, national space agencies, and institutional partners.

02 // BASE FORMATION

• > MSc or PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Space Systems Engineering, Astronautical Engineering, or Physics
• > Specialisation in spacecraft design, orbital mechanics, or space mission analysis
• > Complementary training in ECSS standards, systems engineering (INCOSE), and space project management
• > Knowledge of ESA ESTEC technical standards and space qualification procedures

03 / Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience, with at least 3 years in a technical leadership role
• Hands-on experience in satellite design, AIT (Assembly, Integration and Testing) and space segment verification
• Demonstrated track record in LEO/MEO mission design and payload integration
• Experience with space project management methodologies (ECSS-M, PRINCE2 or equivalent)
• Knowledge of procurement and supplier management in space programmes
• Experience interfacing with institutional customers (ESA, EC, national agencies)

04 // TECHNICAL COMPETENCY INDEX

SATELLITE BUS DESIGN

PAYLOAD INTEGRATION

ORBITAL MECHANICS

AOCS / GNC SYSTEMS

THERMAL CONTROL

POWER SYSTEMS (EPS)

STRUCTURES & MECHANISMS

RF & TT&C

GROUND SEGMENT

MISSION ANALYSIS

ECSS STANDARDS

SPACE AIT

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

CDR / PDR PROCESSES

RELIABILITY & FMEA

LAUNCH VEHICLE I/F