Job Description:

Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen is searching for a

Spacecraft Architect (d/m/w)

for Satellite Constellation Missions.

Your location

At the Airbus site in Friedrichshafen/Immenstaad you will be working on innovation where others spend their holidays. Enjoy panoramic views of Lake Constance while having lunch in our canteen. And after work, join one of our many corporate sports groups to go running, sailing or skiing.

Your benefits

• Attractive salary and special payments

• 30 days paid vacation and extra days-off for special occasions

• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great international, group wide development prospects

• Special benefits: employer-funded pension, employee stock options, discounted car leasing, special conditions for insurances, subsidies for public transport, employee benefits at cooperating companies

• On-site-facilities: Kindergarten close to the site, medical officer for check-ups and other health-related services, lakeview canteen and cafeteria

• Company sports and leisure activities such as sailing, tennis and winter sports

• Compatibility of family & work (job sharing, part-time models, flexible working hours, individual timeout)

• Working in a diverse environment, with more than 140 nationalities, where every voice is heard

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Your tasks and responsibilities

• Coordinate the avionics team, subcontractors and suppliers for all operational and FDIR activities throughout the project lifecycle.

• Define and specify the mission‑operations concept and the operational requirements for both the space and ground segments, with a particular focus on efficient satellite constellation management.

• Oversee all aspects of operability, commandability, observability and autonomy across the space segment.

• Produce detailed input requirements for platform and payload hardware and software that support the operability, commandability, observability and autonomy of the mission.

• Define the project‑specific Packet Utilisation Standard (PUS) tailoring and the associated telecommands and telemetry, working closely with the satellite platform and instrument teams.

• Establish a comprehensive Space‑to‑Ground Interface, including detailed definitions of PUS and CCSDS packet structures.

• Coordinate and compile inputs for the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) and subsystem user manuals (e.g., Power, Communications, Instrument).

Procedures Development – Manage the creation, verification and validation of Spacecraft Operating Procedures (SOP) and On‑Board Control Macro‑Procedures (OBMPs).

• Ensure correct development of on‑board functional chains for both payload and platform, guaranteeing system operability.

• Maintain data continuity throughout project development to promote reuse, improve efficiency and avoid non‑conformities (CNQs).

• Work closely with customers, avionics departments (Data Engineering, Software, AOCS), and transnational teams in France, the United Kingdom and Spain, as well as internal user and development groups.

• Secure on‑time, on‑budget, on‑quality delivery using suitable methods (e.g., Agile) for Ops/FDIR activities.

• Identify Ops/FDIR tooling needs for the project and coordinate timely implementation.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support avionics‑engineering R&D initiatives, evaluate new opportunities and prepare technical proposals, with focus on constellation projects.

• Support Ops/FDIR improvement work packages, providing consulting, roadmap definition and technology‑development support with focus on constellation projects.

Desired skills and qualifications

• Master’s degree in aerospace, electrical engineering, software engineering or a related field.

• 10+ years in spacecraft operations or FDIR; experience on satellite‑constellation missions is an advantage.

• Proven experience in LEOP and/or Phase‑E activities; experience on satellite‑constellation missions is an advantage.

• Demonstrated experience across the satellite development lifecycle.

• Ability to define mission‑operations concepts and develop system user requirements for operability.

• Familiarity with ECSS‑E‑ST‑70 family standards and customer review processes.

• Experience leading/coordinating multicultural, transnational teams.

• Experience preparing offers (ITTs) for external customers such as ESA or export missions.

• Strong focus on delivering on‑time, on‑cost, on‑quality (OTOCOQ) solutions.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; a proven team player who thrives in multidisciplinary environments.

Not a 100% match? No worries! Airbus supports your personal growth with customized development solutions.

Take your career to a new level and apply online now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Chief Engineering & Architecture

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.