Senior Ground Systems Operations Engineer

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact, and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has been selected by Intelsat to build the I-45 satellite, by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites, and recently by Astrum Mobile to build the NEASTAR-1 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems for satellite communication and remote sensing applications. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

Responsibilities

Ground Systems & Mission Control Operations: 

• Contribute to the configuration, operation, and evolution of mission control systems (e.g. Terma CCS), including databases, command and telemetry definitions, limits, displays, and operational configurations.
• Support setup, validation, and troubleshooting of ground systems environments used for simulations, testing, rehearsals, and live operations.
• Contribute to consistent configuration practices across missions while balancing mission-specific needs and operational constraints.
• Ensure ground system configurations are documented, supportable, and aligned with operational workflows.
• Participate in system-level troubleshooting spanning command & control software,flight dynamics software, and ground equipment.
  
  

Operations Scripting, Ground Equipment Interfaces, and Operations Support  

• Contribute to the development, testing, and maintenance of operational procedures, including procedural scripting.(e.g.Tcl)
• Support procedure validation activities such as dry runs, simulations,launch rehearsals,mission rehearsals,and mission readiness reviews.
• Assist in translating operational concepts into executable and repeatable procedures.
• Maintain procedure-related documentation to ensure clarity, traceability, and operational confidence.
• Support integration and operational use of ground equipment, including modems, baseband systems,antennasand associated interfaces.
• Assist with configuration and troubleshooting of end-to-end command and telemetry paths.
• Work with Ground Systems, IT, and external partners to resolve operational issues involving hardware–software interaction.
• Collaborate closely with Flight Dynamics, Mission Operations, and Ground Systems Engineering teams to support mission execution
• Contribute to operational rehearsals and early mission phases (e.g. LEOP/IOT), as required
• Communicate clearly and calmly during operational activities and time-critical troubleshooting
• Contribute to continuous improvement of operational practices, tools, and documentation
  
  

Required experience and competencies: 

• Experience working in satellite ground segment or mission operations environments
• Hands-on experience withcommand and controlsoftware (Terma CCS or equivalent)
• Experience developing or maintaining operational procedures, including scripting (Tcl, Python, or similar)
• Practical understanding of ground equipment interfaces, especially modem and baseband systems
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot issues across software, configuration, and hardware boundaries
• Ability to write clear, high-quality technical and operational documentation
• Strong operational mindset with attention to detail and execution discipline
• Excellent communication skills and comfort working across disciplines and cultures

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
• Experience supporting multi-mission or shared ground infrastructures is a plus.
• Exposure to flight dynamics tools or operational data flows is a plus.
• Experience supporting simulations, rehearsals, or early mission operations is a plus.
• Fluent English required; French is a plus.
• Willingness to travel as needed for project requirements.

Benefits

Further details to be shared by our recruitment team.

More about SWISSto12:
SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with Intelsat, Inmarsat, Astrum Mobile and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for their RF product line in Europe, and the US with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, SES and the ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and operates a US and European subsidiaries in Foster City California. The company is well funded for its near and mid-term developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream.