Ground Segment Lead

Darwin Space are currently hiring for a Ground Segment Lead for a business in Toulouse.

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Ground and Operations Segment Architect to join their team for an advanced In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) mission. The selected candidate will be responsible for the end-to-end architecture, development, integration, and validation of the ground and operations infrastructure required to support on-orbit servicing of space assets, such as inspection, life extension and SSA. This is a high-impact role, pivotal to the success of the mission, involving close collaboration with flight segment teams, mission operations, ground stations, autonomy systems, and international partners.

Job Description

• Design and develop the ground segment for the IOS mission, including mission control center (MCC), telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C), data processing, and ground infrastructure interfaces.
• Define and validate system requirements, interfaces, and functional decompositions.
• Develop system architecture documentation, including ICDs, CONOPS, and operational workflows.
• Architect mission operations concepts, including pre-launch, launch, commissioning, rendezvous, docking, servicing, and disposal phases.
• Collaborate with GNC/autonomy teams to ensure compatibility with on-orbit autonomous behaviors.
• Lead the development of flight and ground procedures, anomaly handling strategies, and contingency plans.
• Oversee integration of ground software (MCS, FDS, automation) with spacecraft simulator and hardware-in-the-loop environments.
• Define and execute ground segment validation, SVT, and mission rehearsals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in ground systems, space operations, or systems architecture for space missions.
• Experience with TT&C systems, mission planning tools, spacecraft commanding, and telemetry handling.
• Knowledge of CCSDS standards and ground interface protocols (e.g., SCOS-2000, EPOCH, GMSEC).
• Proficiency in defining and managing requirements in tools like DOORS or Jama.
• Prior experience with in-orbit servicing, proximity operations, or autonomous rendezvous and docking missions.
• Familiarity with ECSS or NASA space mission standards.
• Knowledge of secure ground-to-space communications and cybersecurity practices.
• Experience with agile development, DevOps tools, and cloud-based ground systems.

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

Sebastian Prins