Space Debris System and Mitigation Engineer - European Space Agency (Darmstadt)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Supporting projects and missions in all phases in their implementation of space debris mitigation requirements
• Defining, implementing, and leading the procurement of industrial services supporting space debris mitigation
• Contributing to the development of international space debris mitigation standards and verification approaches
• Supporting the specification, procurement, and management of debris-related technology development and demonstration activities
• Proactive interfacing with internal and external stakeholders
• Supporting the system and/or instrument definition, manufacturing, and operational phase of space segments related to space debris missions
• Supporting the maintenance and further upgrading of space debris software and databases
• Supporting the Office's involvement in Requesting Party Activities (RPA)

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or other relevant sciences
• Experience: Seven years of relevant professional experience; at least five years demonstrated relevant work experience in modern engineering methods applied to space debris aspects; several years of exposure in multi-stakeholder project support settings
• Key skills: System engineering methods for space-related projects and associated standards including ECSS and ESSB, Space debris mitigation and space traffic management approaches, Management of industrial activities through review processes, key performance indicators, and service level agreements, Definition, procurement, and management of service contracts, Requirements engineering and interface definition, Knowledge of major space debris tools and database systems, Orbital mechanics software engineering methods and tools, Outreach and engagement with user communities, Mission analysis, spacecraft design, ground segments, and mission operations, Modern project management methods including cost, schedule, and risk aspects

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, with possible extension up to a maximum duration of 8 years.

Working arrangements: Resident assignment to ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands or ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain, with primary location at ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany.

Hiring unit: Space Debris Office in the Space Safety Programme Office, Directorate of Operations.

Position details

Reference

1410895533

Last Verified

24 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Space Debris System and Mitigation Engineer at ESA based in Darmstadt (Other). The vacancy reference is 1410895533.

Job Requisition ID:20685

Closing Date:24 July 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

​

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany with a [resident assignment](https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Careers_at_ESA/Frequently_asked_questions2#resident)to ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands or ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain

## Description

Space Debris System and Mitigation Engineer in the Space Debris Office in the Space Safety Programme Office, Directorate of Operations.

The Space Debris Office acts as ESA’s focal point for space debris matters, and for services related to space traffic, with the goal of supporting ESA missions in all phases - from design to operation and disposal. Through ESA’s Space Safety Programme (S2P), technology development programmes, and Requesting Party Activities (RPAs), the Office supports the development of European expertise and capabilities concerning space debris.

## Duties

Reporting to the Head of the Space Debris Office, you will have the following responsibilities:

* Supporting projects and missions in all phases in their implementation of space debris mitigation requirements, and contributing to the further evolution and transformation of that support; * Defining, implementing, and leading the procurement of industrial services supporting space debris mitigation; * Contributing to the development of international space debris mitigation standards, and the related approaches to verification of compliance; * Supporting the specification, procurement, and management of debris-related technology development and demonstration activities at all TRL, especially under ESA's Space Safety Programme, and the technology development programmes; * Proactive interfacing with internal and external stakeholders; * Supporting the system and/or instrument definition, manufacturing, and operational phase of space segments related to space debris missions; * Supporting the maintenance and further upgrading of space debris software and databases; * Supporting the Office's involvement in the Requesting Party Activities (RPA); * Supporting and managing outreach and training activities addressing space debris; * Participating in operational support activities; * Managing quality assurance tasks in your area of responsibility.

## Technical competencies

System engineering methods for space-related projects and associated standards including ECSS and ESSB

Space debris mitigation and space traffic management approaches, including hands-on experience in implementing them across all mission phases

Management of industrial activities through review processes, key performance indicators, and the application of service level agreements

Definition, procurement, and management of service contracts

Requirements engineering and interface definition

Knowledge of major space debris tools and database systems, as well as orbital mechanics software engineering methods and tools

Outreach and engagement with user communities

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

A master's degree in systems engineering, aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or other relevant sciences is required for this post together with seven years of relevant professional experience.

## Additional requirements

* A broad background in modern engineering methods is mandatory, preferably directly applied through the implementation of space debris aspects, with at least five years demonstrated relevant work experience; * Demonstrated experience in managing project support is required, preferably with several years of exposure in multi-stakeholder settings; * Demonstrated knowledge of current methods related to mission analysis, spacecraft design, ground segments, and mission operations is mandatory; * Demonstrated application knowledge of modern project management methods, including cost, schedule, and risk aspects related to your area of responsibility; * Deep and broad knowledge of the European industrial landscape for space debris mitigation and space traffic technologies, and the demonstrated ability to define technology development roadmaps identifying future trends in technology requirements; * Knowledge of ESA’s programmatic environment, technology programmes, and the organisation and procurement processes of R&D and service activities; * Demonstrated experience in the design, testing, and operation of instrumentation would be considered an asset.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 3 July 2026, 23 days ago.

The deadline of 24 July 2026 has now passed and this position is no longer accepting applications. Browse other current openings via the links below.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 24 July 2026 (2 days ago).

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Darmstadt see our Darmstadt location page.

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