Space Operation Support Engineer (M/F)

You will be helping our customers get the most out of our propulsion system aboard their spacecraft.

Founded in 2017, ThrustMe is a pioneering space technology company specializing in advanced propulsion systems for small satellites. We are global experts in satellite propulsion, pushing the boundaries of streamlined in-orbit mobility for the rapidly expanding satellite constellation industry. Our clients across the US, Europe, and Asia trust us to design and deliver high-performance, precision-engineered propulsion systems that push technological boundaries while meeting demanding timelines and budgets. We made history in 2019 and 2020 with the world’s first in-orbit demonstrations of iodine-fueled electric propulsion systems. Today, we are experiencing rapid growth, with over 300 systems ordered to date.

As a Space Operations Engineer at ThrustMe, your job is to help our customers get the most out of our propulsion system aboard their spacecraft. You are the detective reconstructing what is going on in space from telemetry and knowledge of the system, doing everything necessary to solve the case – be it improving performance or resolving in-orbit problems. You interface with satellite operators, but also with all the experts on the ground. The job ranges from working with telemetry directly from space, participating in and assisting with ground-based propulsion system tests in our laboratory facilities, to working on the software to manage and automate the telemetry analysis. The latter includes deriving statistical information from the telemetry. Furthermore, through your insight into the real-world performance of the system, you will also contribute to existing and new products at ThrustMe.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Maintaining and developing our space telemetry data post-processing and analysis tools.
• Investigating space telemetry, understanding any potential issues, proposing, and implementing solutions on space hardware.
• Integrating inputs from a broad range of sources (space data, ground experiments, theory, simulation, etc.) to improve the algorithms and models running the propulsion systems.
• Support ongoing missions and assist with the satellite assembly and integration process, launch, commissioning, operation, and de-orbiting.
• Writing reports and technical documentation, both for internal and external use.
• Supporting propulsion system experiments both in space and on the ground.
• Collaborating with engineers and physicists in the development and industrialization of ground-breaking products.
• Conducting performance analysis and generating operational recommendations.

Required skills and qualifications:

• Masters in embedded software, aerospace engineering, propulsion, physics, or similar.
• Solid understanding of complex embedded systems, ideally with knowledge of fundamental engineering and space propulsion-related subjects.
• Good knowledge in data processing, data analytics, and modelling (Python or similar).
• Knowledge/experience in electronics.
• Ability to work autonomously and proactively.
• Demonstrable technical writing and reporting skills.
• Communicate in English fluently.

We understand that no candidate is likely to meet every single requirement. If you’re excited about the opportunity and have most of the skills we’re looking for, we encourage you to apply!