Full-Time
Spacecraft Operations Engineer
Updated on 8/22/2026
Leonardo
10,001+ employees
Aerospace, defense tech design and manufacturing
No salary listed
Darmstadt, Germany
In Person
EU applications only.
Bachelor's
 Aerospace Engineering (1) |
|---|
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- A university degree or equivalent education in Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Telecommunications Engineering is required.
- Experience in spacecraft operations is required.
- For system support work, proven expertise in Flight Operations System development for Flight Control Team-related tasks, such as Flight Operations Procedure preparation and validation, with a minimum of 5 years of experience is required.
- Knowledge of one or more spacecraft subsystems, including power, thermal, Attitude and Orbit Control System, data handling, communications, or payload operations is required.
- A robust understanding of Flight Operations System main components is required.
- Proven experience with S2K-based Mission Control Systems, NDIU/GSTVi, MOIS/ProToS, and EGOS-CC/PULSE is required.
- Familiarity with ECSS Packet Utilization Standards is required.
- Proven experience with ESOC internal and external interfaces is required.
- Proven experience with the mission planning cycle and operational procedures is required.
- Experience with operational simulators, especially Simsat-based simulators, is required.
- Experience with system-level tasks and a systems-minded approach is required.
- Ability to investigate technical issues methodically and contribute to operational improvements is required.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
- Applications are limited to candidates from the European Union.
- The CV must be submitted in the latest Europass format.
- Study project-specific characteristics and ground segment documentation.
- Participate in the analysis and design of satellite operations.
- Generate and validate flight control procedures.
- Provide mission management and mission planning support.
- Support the evolution and testing of ground segment systems, including MCS, SIM, and MPS.
- Participate in the team training program.
- Perform routine payload and platform operations.
- Participate in all mission-critical operations.
- Provide general flight control support.
- Perform spacecraft performance analysis.
- Participate in the on-call service.
- Support national constellation activities when required.
- Participate in operational training when required.
- Participate in Launch and Early Orbit Phase activities when required.
- Experience within a spacecraft operations centre or mission control environment, particularly in the ESOC environment.
- Familiarity with low Earth orbit satellites.
- Knowledge of spacecraft databases, telemetry and telecommand systems, power, thermal, attitude and orbit control, communications, payload, or data handling subsystems.
- Experience working with international partners, customers, or multidisciplinary engineering teams, including JAXA, AEE, or ASI.
Leonardo operates in aerospace, defense, and security, designing and manufacturing advanced technologies for militaries, intelligence agencies, and defense contractors. Its products combine hardware, software, and services and can include end-to-end systems built by subsidiaries such as Leonardo DRS; training and ongoing support are core parts of the offering. The company differentiates itself through a broad, diversified portfolio and long-standing relationships with US and allied governments, enabling end-to-end development and sustainment. Its goal is to provide reliable, state-of-the-art capabilities with strong customer support and training for defense, intelligence, and civil infrastructure customers.
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Rome, Italy
Founded
2022
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- H1 2026 orders rose 45% to €16.3 billion, lifting FY2026 guidance on 30 July.
- Leonardo won €64 million from the 2025 European Defence Fund on 30 July.
- Becrypt and Raft broaden Leonardo DRS into cyber and AI mission software.
What critics are saying
- Italy's July 2026 CEO swap damaged shares 8.5% and politicized governance.
- OHB threatens lawsuits against Project Bromo, delaying space synergies until 2027.
- EU rejection of Project Bromo kills Leonardo's space scale strategy against SpaceX and China.
What makes Leonardo unique
- Leonardo dominates European land defense after completing IDV acquisition on 18 March 2026.
- Project Bromo positions Leonardo as a core European space champion with Airbus and Thales.
- Becrypt strengthens Leonardo's trusted cyber stack across UK and Five Eyes government networks.
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Benefits
Remote Work Options
Flexible Work Hours
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Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 12%1 year growth
↑ 12%2 year growth
↑ 13%Leonardo SpA reported a 40% surge in orders to approximately €16 billion in H1 2026, driven by strong demand across divisions including major helicopter and jet contracts. Revenue rose 10% year-over-year, excluding currency headwinds. EBITDA reached €730 million, up 30%, whilst return on sales improved to 7.6% from 6.5%. Adjusted net income increased 74% and free operating cash flow improved 45% despite remaining negative in the first half. The company raised its full-year guidance, increasing expected new orders to €28.2 billion, EBITDA to €2.21 billion, and free operating cash flow to €1.37 billion. Net debt stood at €3.2 billion, including the IVECO Defence Vehicles acquisition. The acquisition contributed €6 billion to the backlog and €400 million in Q2 revenues. Helicopter deliveries increased from 72 to 81 units, whilst aerostructures revenue jumped 44% on higher B7A7 production rates.
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales are preparing to seek European Union approval for a three-way space merger, arguing Europe needs a unified champion to compete with SpaceX and China. The deal, known as Project Bromo, would combine major European space assets across satellite manufacturing and systems. The proposed company would employ roughly 25,000 people, generate approximately €6.5 billion in annual revenue and maintain an order backlog exceeding three years. Ownership would be split with Airbus holding 35% whilst Leonardo and Thales would each own 32.5%. The merger faces opposition from Germany's OHB and Spain's Indra Space, which warn it could reduce competition in Europe's satellite market. The deal represents an early test of new European Commission merger guidelines that may prioritise scale when companies face global competitors.
Leonardo has secured €64 million in funding from the 2025 European Defence Fund, with 15 of its 18 submitted proposals selected. The allocation includes €51 million for development and €13 million for research across 11 capability development initiatives and four research projects. The EDF 2025 cycle saw 57 projects selected from 410 submissions, involving 634 entities across 26 European countries plus Norway and Ukraine, with a total budget of approximately €1 billion. Small and medium-sized enterprises represented 38% of participants. Key Leonardo projects include ASIMOV, focused on in-orbit operations for European defence, and ANEMOS, a research initiative for radio communication solutions. Including contributions from group subsidiaries, Leonardo's total funding reaches approximately €84 million.
Leonardo, a surveillance company, plans to add SignalTrace sensors to automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) that would collect unique identifiers from mobile phones, Bluetooth devices, and other electronics in passing vehicles. The technology would link these device identifiers to licence plates, enabling law enforcement to track specific individuals rather than just vehicles. SignalTrace can detect RFID tags in key cards, Bluetooth devices like headphones and fitness trackers, vehicle components such as tyre pressure sensors, and Wi-Fi sources including laptops. The system stores this data for future searches and uses algorithms to correlate devices that consistently travel together with specific licence plates. Leonardo sells ALPR cameras to law enforcement and government agencies. The company did not respond to requests for comment about the product.
German satellite maker OHB will consider legal action if EU regulators approve a planned merger of Airbus, Thales and Leonardo's satellite businesses, CEO Marco Fuchs told Reuters on Thursday. The three aerospace groups announced "Project Bromo" in October, aiming to create a stronger European competitor to SpaceX and Chinese rivals. However, OHB fears the deal could weaken competition and disrupt its supply chain in Europe. Fuchs dismissed comparisons with Chinese competitors, noting Europe does not purchase satellites from China. The core regulatory question is whether the new entity would primarily compete globally or reinforce market dominance in Europe. OHB's market value has risen roughly fivefold to €5 billion over the past year. The company reported 18% quarterly revenue growth with order backlog up 45%.