Space Applications Services NV/SA is an independent Belgian company founded in 1987. Aerospace Applications North America is our Partner company in Houston, USA.
Our aim is to research and develop innovative systems, solutions and products and provide services to the aerospace and security markets and related industries. Our activities cover manned and unmanned spacecraft, launch/re-entry vehicles, control centres, robotics and a wide range of information systems.
The Company develops payloads, avionics, robotics technology and products, and provides complete mission operations control centre solutions to EN9100 standards.
We also provide engineering, science and training services, including astronaut training.
From our headquarters, we are in daily contact with the International Space Station (ISS) ensuring our Customers’ research is successful.
Position
The successful candidate will be based at ESTEC (NL) or EAC (DE).
Within Space Applications Services, the position is in the Training & Operations Team, in the Services Department, which comprises 30 persons. The candidate will report to the Training & Operations Team Lead and the Services Department Manager, and interact with the Customer and other entities on a regular basis. The work includes occasional travels to Europe or U.S.
Location: ESTEC (NL) or EAC (DE)
Start date: As of November 2026.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Perform operations engineering activities for operations product generation and technical operations engineering work as required
Provide support and represent the mission operations service at various ESA internal boards/panels and review boards as well as Space Station program/NASA or other IP boards/meetings as required (e.g. Crew time working group, Attitude working group)
Support the Mission/Payload Control Center(s) and Mission Operations contract management as necessary, e.g. by attending progress meetings, division meetings and team meetings
Provide operations engineering support/expertise to projects in the C/D phase, , with the goal to establish or update the operations concept in cooperation with the assigned USOC and the flight control team
Support the update or monitoring of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for the mission operations service in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders (e.g. Payload Control Centres, USOCs, Mission Operations Service, training service and engineering and ground segment service)
Review and assess first time Experiment Science Requirements (ESRs) for operational feasibility and identification of new operational requirements
Define/ establish and manage the “Big picture status reporting” for all ESA hardware on-board the ISS with regards to the operational status (e.g. rack & payload operations status, anomalies, etc.).
Skills and Experience
A Master Degree in Aerospace Engineering or similar
Minimum 4 years of experience in human space flight mission operations, with an emphasis on ISS and Columbus operations, e.g. former certified flight controller/ops lead or console support person.
Strength to cope with schedules and deadlines
Ability to synthesise, summarise and draw conclusions
Ability to adhere to strict standards of confidentiality
Ability to work in distributed international teams
Excellent organisational and communication skills
A proactive approach, with initiative and ability to work independently
Excellent written and spoken English.
Our Offer
Working within an exceptional sector with Staff located in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands
A professional and modern working environment with motivated Administrative Staff, Engineers, Astronaut Training Instructors and Scientists coming from all different horizons and countries with a common passion for space and their own expertise
A full-time position with an indefinite contract of employment
A competitive remuneration package and good working conditions
Working from home in part can be a possibility
An individualised training and development programmes.