Space System Engineering Manager

I’m currently supporting a rapidly scaling Earth Observation company in Catalonia that has just successfully launched its first satellite and is now entering its next phase of constellation growth.

They design and manufacture their own advanced thermal imaging payloads in house and are building a high resolution, high revisit capability focused on delivering a new perspective on the planet’s changing resources. Following international expansion and significant team growth, they are now hiring a Space Systems Engineering Manager to lead their space infrastructure activities.

This is a genuine leadership role, not just coordination. You will take ownership of mission delivery from cradle to grave, leading a multidisciplinary team across payloads, platform, software, remote sensing and operations.

The Opportunity

You will:

* Lead the Space Infrastructure and Systems team across design, analysis, AIV, launch and early operations
* Own the end to end delivery of payloads and satellites within a growing constellation roadmap
* Interface with internal software, payload, remote sensing and operations teams to ensure performance and schedule alignment
* Contribute to strategic discussions, R&D proposals and partner negotiations
* Translate customer and consortium requirements into internal technical direction
* Drive innovation across system concepts, calibration approaches and new technology integration
* Establish and maintain strong engineering processes, documentation standards and agile workflows

This role reports directly to executive leadership and is critical to scaling mission capability while maintaining technical excellence.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

* 7 to 10+ years in satellite or payload systems engineering
* Proven experience delivering a full satellite mission lifecycle from Phase 0 through launch and operations
* 3+ years leading heterogeneous engineering teams in a space environment
* Strong knowledge of satellite subsystems including power, communications, AOCS, propulsion and EO payloads
* Optical payload expertise with VNIR, SWIR or LWIR experience highly valued
* Optical performance budgeting and geometric and radiometric calibration, both ground and in orbit
* Hands on experience in manufacturing, AIV and environmental testing including TVAC, vibration, shock and EMC
* Experience with MGSE and EGSE
* Simulation tools such as STK, GMAT or MATLAB and Simulink
* Solid background in hardware design and thermal or FEM analysis
* Strong Python capability and Linux proficiency
* Agile methodology experience
* Fluent English
* EU Passport, no visa sponsorship available

Nice to Have:

* Thermal payload experience including MWIR or LWIR
* Knowledge of geospatial standards such as OGC WMS, WMTS, STAC or COG
* Cloud or containerized processing experience including Docker and imaging pipelines

The Environment

* Based near Barcelona with five remote days per month
* 40 hour week with genuine flexibility, six hour minimum day and flexible start and finish
* International, fast growth environment
* Relocation support provided including flight, baggage and initial accommodation assistance
* Permanent contract
* 23 days holiday plus additional December days and birthday off

Darwin Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

Alfie Walters