Senior Space System Engineer (m/f/d)

Position Description:

CGI is a European leader in Space Ground Segment systems and services in the domains of Earth Observation, Navigation, Satellite Communications, Space Safety and Mission Operations. We provide critical services and solutions to European & national agencies and institutions, the scientific community, the commercial sector, as well as to the wider public. We are both major contributors to, and act as thought leaders in, several key European space initiatives including the Copernicus and Galileo programs, designing, and developing cutting edge solutions for our clients.

The European Space market is dynamic, evolving and rapidly growing. CGI is now looking to further expand our business in this area, building on our more than 40-year successful heritage. We are therefore seeking a Space System Engineer (m/f/d) to support this growth.

As a Senior Space System Engineer (m/f/d), you will work on cutting-edge space systems and in-space operations and services, including autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO). This position spans institutional projects (ESA/EUMETSAT/EU), commercial ventures, as well defense programs, contributing to advanced CONOPS development, GNC-related system aspects, and end-to-end mission architectures—from early-phase studies to operations.

Your future duties and responsibilities:

• Contribute to systems engineering for complex space systems-of-systems, covering satellite constellations, servicing spacecraft, ground infrastructure, and inter-segment interfaces.

• Develop comprehensive CONOPS, including mission timelines, operational modes and states (e.g. LEOP, safehold, nominal, contingency, emergency), state transitions, FDIR strategies, abort triggers, and handover protocols between space and ground segments.

• Define operational concepts for in-space operations and services, including satellite servicing, refueling, inspection, debris removal, robotic arm operations, and life extension.

• Specify and review GNC and RPO functions at system level, including sensors, actuators, guidance profiles, control performance, and safety constraints.

• Design, analyze, and implement GNC/RPO algorithms in Python, MATLAB, or C++ for simulation and flight software, including EKF/UKF relative navigation, Clohessy-Wiltshire/Hill equations, V-bar/R-bar approaches, proportional navigation, sliding mode/Lyapunov control, and collision avoidance.

• Support the design and validation of operational concepts for satellite control, ground systems, and automation in large constellations and servicing missions.

• Prepare and review technical documentation, including CONOPS, SRD, ICD, and V&V plans.

• Contribute to MIL/SIL/HIL simulation and test campaigns for rendezvous, formation flying, collision avoidance, and servicing operations.

• Interface with software and operations teams to ensure end-to-end integration.

• Lead work packages, coordinate teams, support proposals and workshops, and mentor junior engineers

Required qualifications to be successful in this role:

• 5+ years of experience in complex space projects such as LEO constellations, satellite operations, mission analysis, or in-space services, with significant responsibility in systems engineering, mission design, spacecraft operations, or ground segment development. Strong practical experience and technical excellence are valued over formal educational background.

• Proven experience in advanced CONOPS development, including detailed operational concepts, state diagrams, timelines, FDIR, and contingency planning.

• Solid knowledge of orbital mechanics and mission design, with familiarity in RPO concepts.

• Deep algorithmic knowledge of GNC and RPO, including EKF/UKF relative navigation, Clohessy-Wiltshire/Hill equations, V-bar/R-bar approaches, and guidance/control laws such as proportional navigation and sliding mode/Lyapunov-based control, with demonstrated ability to implement them in software. Experience with real-time embedded systems is a plus.

• Familiarity with in-space operations, including robotic capture, inspection, refueling, multi-spacecraft coordination, safe separation, and integration with robotic manipulators and propellant systems.

• Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following:

  • Mega-constellation architecture and operations
  • In-space operations/services or on-orbit robotics
  • Spacecraft GNC (attitude/orbit control, relative navigation)
  • RPO safety, FDIR, and autonomy
  • Requirements engineering (DOORS, Jama, SysML/UML, or similar)
  • Programming in Python, MATLAB/Simulink, and C/C++

• Excellent written and spoken English; German is an advantage. Nice to Have

• Experience with satellite/ground control, mission planning, and M&C frameworks in multi-domain environments

• Knowledge of satcom, GOVSATCOM/IRIS², pooled services, and defense satcom/security

• Experience with AI/ML for space, including autonomous operations and anomaly detection

• Familiarity with ESA/ECSS standards, mission reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, ORR), and defense standards

• Experience with servicer/target operations, including satellite servicing and on-orbit inspection missions

• Knowledge of ground-to-space and space-to-space communications Experience in customer-facing roles, proposals, and leadership across institutional, commercial, or defense domains

What we offer

CGI offers our employees an exciting and flexible work environment in which to build their careers. This is especially reflected within our Space business which offers a corporate culture built around diverse teams, international collaboration, flat hierarchies and open communication.

CGI’s values emphasise our commitment to work in partnership with our clients by providing objectivity and integrity in all of our undertakings, whilst also delivering quality solutions and services. We also place a strong focus on Corporate Social Responsibility, encouraging and supporting our employees in the continuous improvement of the economic, social and environmental well-being of the communities in which they live and work. This is further reflected in the company’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Consistent with our dream of creating an environment in which we enjoy working together, CGI is committed to fostering and maintaining professional workplaces that respect the dignity of all members. CGI is unconditionally inclusive and we are constantly evolving and creating new network that support and promote the richness of our diversity, equity and inclusion across our organization.

In addition to the above, CGI offers the following:

• At CGI, we view our professionals as company owners. A set percentage of your salary can be invested in CGI shares, and CGI matches your contribution, up to a set maximum.

• Flexible working hours and conditions to optimise your work/life balance (35h-40h/week), 30 days of holidays, numerous special leave days (e.g. wedding, birth, relocation, etc.)

• In addition, sabbatical or parental leave is supported.

• Bicycle leasing schemes

• Corporate benefits providing attractive CGI employee discounts from well-known brands and providers.

• A strong focus on continued learning and development

• An exciting, challenging and diverse environment where you can grow your career as part of a great team

• A great corporate culture built around international collaboration, flat hierarchies and open communication

• A company committed to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a strong focus on Corporate Social Responsibility – contributing to the communities we live in.

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What you can expect from us:

Together, as owners, let’s turn meaningful insights into action.

1976 gegründet und nach wie vor familiengeführt, ist CGI heute einer der weltweit größten unabhängigen Anbieter von IT und Business Consulting. Ein hohes Maß an Eigenverantwortung, Teamwork, Respekt und Zusammenhalt machen das Arbeiten bei uns besonders. Bei uns kannst du dein volles Potenzial entfalten!

Du darfst dich vom ersten Tag an als Miteigentümer:in von CGI verstehen. Wir lassen unsere Vision gemeinsam Wirklichkeit werden. Wir profitieren von unserem gemeinsamen Erfolg und haben die Möglichkeit und die Verantwortung, die Strategie und Ausrichtung unseres Unternehmens aktiv mitzugestalten.

Deine Arbeit schafft Mehrwert. Du findest innovative Lösungen und stärkst dein Netzwerk aus Kolleg:innen und Kunden. Gleichzeitig hast du Zugang zu globalen Ressourcen, um große Ideen zu verwirklichen, neue Chancen zu nutzen und von der immensen Branchen- und Technologie-Kompetenz zu profitieren.

Du bringst deine Karriere voran, da du in einem Unternehmen arbeitest, das auf Wachstum und Langlebigkeit ausgelegt ist. Du wirst von Führungskräften unterstützt, die deine Gesundheit und Zufriedenheit fördern – und dir Möglichkeiten bieten, deine Fähigkeiten zu vertiefen und deinen Horizont zu erweitern.