Satellite Operations Engineer (VLEO Missions)

Kreios Space

YOUR MISSION You will be the technical owner of our satellite platform- the person who turns mission needs into a buildable, testable and reliable system, and who is not afraid to go hands-on when reality hits hardware. * Own the platform technical direction: define and drive the system architecture, requirements, interfaces and budgets to ensure a coherent end-to-end platform. * Make the right engineering calls: lead trade-offs across mass, power, thermal, data, RF and reliability to converge on a design the team can actually deliver. * Bring systems to the lab: define the verification approach and actively support AIT and test campaigns (planning, procedures, acceptance criteria, reports). * Be the “go-to” technical problem solver: troubleshoot anomalies, unblock the team, and push issues to closure with pragmatic engineering judgement. * Connect specialists into one system: align subsystem/domain experts across departments, ensuring interfaces, assumptions and decisions are consistent and documented. * Enable execution with structure: work with a Project Manager who supports planning and delivery tracking, so you can focus on technical leadership and hands-on execution. * On-site role: work from our facilities in Porto do Molle (Nigrán, Spain), close to the hardware, the lab and the engineering team. YOUR PROFILE * Engineering degree in Aerospace / Industrial / Telecommunications / Electronics (or similar). * 7+ years in space systems engineering, with participation in flight projects. * Proven hands-on experience in system/subsystem integration and verification (AIT). * Strong background in: * Requirements engineering & traceability * System architecture & interface management (ICDs) * V&V / test logic (procedures, reports, anomaly tracking) * Risk & reliability methods  and engineering margins * Space standards (ECSS or equivalent) * Comfortable working across structures, avionics, ADCS, thermal, propulsion, SW/FDIR and operations. * Mindset/skills: technical leadership, autonomy, clear communication, prioritization, ability to move from high-level architecture to detailed problem solving. Nice to have * MBSE / SysML and architecture tools. * Exposure to EGSE/MGSE, TVAC/vibration, EMC/EMI campaigns. * Experience with avionics/electrical interfaces, harnessing, C&DH, or on-board SW verification. * Strong configuration/documentation discipline (baselines, change control, review packages). WHY US? At Kreios Space, we’re not just building technology- we’re redefining propulsion in orbit. This is a place for people who want to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and work on problems that have never been solved before. We operate at the intersection of cutting-edge physics, aerospace engineering, and real-world impact- where your work doesn’t stay on paper, it flies. What makes us different: Real impact, real ownership: You won’t be a small cog in a large machine. Here, you’ll take full ownership of critical systems and see your work move from concept to space. Decisions are fast, responsibility is real, and your contribution is visible. Deep-tech challenges at the frontier: We’re tackling problems that only a handful of teams in the world are attempting. This means high intellectual rigor, constant learning, and the opportunity to work alongside exceptional engineers and scientists. Top-tier talent, low ego culture: We’re building a team of ambitious, high-performing people who care deeply about what they do- but who also value collaboration, humility, and clarity of thinking. A company on a mission, not just a roadmap: Kreios is not optimizing an existing solution- we are creating a new category in space propulsion. Joining now means shaping the technology, the culture, and the future of the company. Growth that matches your ambition: As we scale, so will your scope. This is the right place if you want your career trajectory to be as bold as the problems you’re solving.

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. YOUR ROLE We are seeking a Structural Engineer to support the design, analysis, testing, and qualification of structures for our VLEO satellite missions. You will work across the full development lifecycle of flight hardware, from early structural modelling and design reviews through environmental testing and validation, helping ensure the reliability and survivability of spacecraft operating in one of the harshest orbital environments. You will work closely with mechanical, thermal, propulsion, systems, and AIT teams to develop structurally robust hardware capable of surviving launch and sustained operations in Ultra-Low Earth Orbit. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES * Perform structural analysis of flight hardware including spacecraft structures, propulsion subsystems, and mechanical assemblies. This includes static, modal, random vibration, sine, shock, and quasi-static load cases. * Develop and validate finite element models (FEM) for spacecraft and high-performance aerospace structures. * Perform hand calculations for preliminary analysis in support of FEA. * Support structural sizing, stiffness optimisation, and load path analysis for launch and in-orbit environments. * Plan and execute vibration, shock, and structural qualification testing test campaigns end-to-end: write the test plan, instrument the hardware, interpret the data, correlate the model, and close out the qualification report. * Instrument hardware using accelerometers and strain gauges, and correlate test results back to analytical models. * Review engineering drawings and collaborate directly with designers to drive structural design decisions. * Support qualification activities against relevant aerospace and space standards including GEVS, ECSS, and NASA requirements. * Contribute to structural verification activities across development, integration, and test phases. FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENTS * Education: B.S. or M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. * 3+ years of structural analysis experience on flight hardware, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, missiles, or high-performance structures. * Experience with structural analysis of spacecraft structures and subsystems, including electronic boxes, propulsion systems, hydraulics, or solar panels. * Experience with design for manufacturing (DFM). * Hands-on experience with FEM and ability to justify modelling assumptions and approaches. * Experience with Altair OptiStruct is a strong plus; proficiency with industry-standard solvers such as NASTRAN, ANSYS, or Abaqus is required. * Familiarity with launch environments including random vibration PSDs, SRS shock spectra, and quasi-static load factors. * Practical experience supporting environmental testing, including instrumentation with accelerometers and strain gauges and model correlation activities. * Confidence reading and reviewing engineering drawings and working directly with design engineers on structural decisions. NICE-TO-HAVES * Experience with analysis of composite materials. * Experience with material testing, metallic and composites WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.

NewOrbit Space

At NewOrbit Space, our mission is to engineer the lowest orbiting satellites on Earth to rapidly advance global connectivity and insight. We are currently building satellites that can operate at an altitude of just 200 km - one-third that of conventional satellites. Your Role Establish and own NewOrbit’s mission operations capability from the start, defining how our spacecraft are commanded, monitored, and operated from the ground. You will lead the setting up of mission control, define spacecraft-ground and ground-station interfaces, develop real-time flight operations concepts, and support LEOP, commissioning, manoeuvres, nominal operations, and anomaly response alongside Mission Design and Communications. Mission Operations Ownership * Lead the development of NewOrbit’s mission operations concept from an early phase, defining operational workflows, responsibilities, flight rules, procedures, and escalation paths. * Act as the responsible engineer for spacecraft operations, ensuring the spacecraft, mission control system, ground stations, and engineering teams are aligned for flight. Mission Control Centre Setup * Define the requirements for NewOrbit’s mission control centre, including mission control software, telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, operational dashboards, and access control. * Support the selection, configuration, and validation of tools required for real-time spacecraft operations. Spacecraft-to-Ground Interfaces * Define and manage the operational interfaces between the spacecraft and ground segment, including telemetry, telecommand, command verification, event reporting, time correlation, file transfer, and mission data routing. * Work with Flight Software and subsystem teams to maintain command dictionaries, telemetry databases, packet definitions, limits, and operational constraints. Ground Station Operations * Work with the Communications team to define interfaces with external ground station providers, including pass scheduling, uplink and downlink operations, RF link monitoring, data delivery, and anomaly escalation. * Develop operational approaches for short VLEO passes, missed contacts, changing visibility, and rapid orbit updates. Real-Time Flight Operations * Develop the operational concept for LEOP, commissioning, routine operations, orbit lowering, manoeuvre execution, payload operations, safe mode recovery, and end-of-life activities. * Prepare pass plans, command sequences, operational timelines, and procedures while accounting for spacecraft subsystem and mission design constraints. Procedures, Validation, and Readiness * Write, validate, and maintain operating procedures, contingency procedures, flight rules, console procedures, and operations documentation. * Support end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing, mission rehearsals, operational readiness reviews, ground station interface tests, and commissioning preparation. Fundamental Requirements: * Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred. * Industry Experience: Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in spacecraft operations or as a spacecraft controller or similar. Previous experience as a spacecraft controller during LEOP, commissioning and safe-mode recovery is highly relevant. * Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of real-time flight operations, including pass preparation, telemetry monitoring, telecommand execution, command verification, anomaly response, and post-pass analysis. Familiarity with CCSDS telemetry/telecommand standards, ECSS Packet Utilisation Standard, file transfer protocols, and time correlation is highly desirable. * Mission Control Software: Experience with mission control system environments such as SCOS-2000, EGS-CC, Yamcs, OpenC3 COSMOS, or similar platforms is desirable. Ability to define operational needs for telemetry displays, command interfaces, alerting, logging, dashboards, and operator workflows. * Programming Ability: Proficiency in Python or similar scripting languages for telemetry analysis, automation, reporting, validation, and operational tooling. Familiarity with Linux, Git, databases, APIs, network interfaces, or operational dashboards is desirable. * Simulation and Testing: Experience supporting mission rehearsals, operational validation, flight software interface testing, procedure validation, and end-to-end spacecraft-to-ground testing. Ability to help prepare mission control systems, ground station interfaces, operational procedures, and teams for launch and commissioning. WHY NEWORBIT SPACE? * Pioneering Space Technology – You'll contribute to launching groundbreaking technology into space. Your work on our revolutionary ion propulsion system and ULEO satellite platform will redefine satellite operations and disrupt traditional LEO operations. * Unmatched Ownership and Impact – You'll experience a level of ownership that's rare in the space industry. You will participate in the full lifecycle of satellite technology. * Equity and Competitive Salary – You'll receive not just a competitive salary but also company ownership stakes. Your dedication and hard work are rewarded with a share in the technology you help build, ensuring you're a part of our collective success. * Comprehensive Benefits Package – Including private health insurance with dental and optical coverage, annual healthcare check-ups etc. * Hybrid Work - A hybrid setup with one dedicated remote day per week. * Visa Sponsorship & Relocation Support - We provide a relocation package and sponsor your visa if you’re joining us from abroad.