(Senior) Engineer, Operation Engineering (Betzdorf, LU)

PROGRAMME DESCRIPTION
IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connec-tivity dead zones.
SES - together with other consortium partners and core members - was selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS2 multi-orbit satellite constellation.
The IRIS2 team enters the next project phase and there is a strong need for support for all the activi-ties around service provisioning and products that the system can offer in the future.
ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
You will be part of an agile project organization where a flexible way of working and an adaptive mindset is required.
You will be responsible for developing and maintaining the operational concepts and documentation required to unify IRIS2's multi-orbit architecture (LEO/MEO) into a single, cohesive and efficiently operated system. This role involves designing the staffing model and processes for three equally loaded Global Control Centres (GCCs), managing workload distribution, and ensuring that 24/7 or on-call coverage meets both technical and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate will excel at balancing strategic operational planning with day-to-day execution, ensuring seamless service delivery across all IRIS2 control centres.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operator's CONOPS Development

• Create and maintain an operator-focused Concept of Operations (CONOPS) that integrates LEO and MEO specifications into a single, unified IRIS2 service model.
• Collaborate with engineering, service assurance, and product management teams to ensure operational workflows reflect current and future service requirements
• GCC Workload Sizing & Organization
  Plan and prepare for implementation efficient staffing models, including shift rotations and on-call schedules, for three Global Control Centres (GCCs), in cooperation with the SPaceRISE Consortium partners.
  Ensure equitable workload distribution and equal criticality across GCCs, balancing resource effi-ciency, operational demands and requirements for resilience. Leverage the next-generation automa-tion processes and tools.
  Design processes, tools, and documentation to unify the operational requirements of LEO and MEO space segments, ground segments and other infrastructure components under one integrated sys-tem.
  Contribute to the establishment of policies and guidelines for 24/7 support and incident management to meet IRIS2 service-level agreements and regulatory obligations.
  Co-design a Monitoring plan to control GCCs performance.

Deliverable Documentation

• Take ownership of or contribute to the production of clear internal or external deliverable documenta-tion capturing all operational procedures, staffing models, and service escalation paths. Provide the required inputs, as requested and assigned, to other workgroups, in coordination with the Service team.

Stakeholder Collaboration & Alignment

• Interface with SES-internal departments, with SpaceRISE Consortium partners, and with external stakeholders to synchronize operational strategies, resource planning, budgetary considerations, and the essential production of due documentation.
• Provide guidance and support during audits, compliance checks, or programme milestones.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong ability to work independently and without supervision in complex environments, e.g. project or matrix organizations
• Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing project requirements and environments
• Ability to think strategically and align project goals with organizational objectives
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong leadership leveraging proven project and team management skills
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities

QUALIFICATIONS BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in electronics, aeronautics or equivalent qualifications
• At least 5 years of professional experience in a relevant industry - Satellite or Telecommunications business
• At least 8 years of professional experience in Operations
• A similar assignment - ideally, experience working on large projects with EU or ESA level requirements
• Fluency in English (any other language being an asset)

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS

• The candidate must be eligible for a "SECRET" security clearance, in accordance with the "loi modifiée du 15 juin 2004 relative à la classification des pièces et aux habilitations de sécurité", as well as EU/ESA/NATO equivalents
• Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes
• Willing to support a rotation based 24/7 on-call role

SES and its Affiliated Companies are committed to providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal law.
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