Spacecraft Operations Manager

  • Engineer (E3)
  • Rome

Job ID: SSCitaly-SOM

Deadline: 15 December 2025

Description

On behalf of the Italian subsidiary of the group – SSC Italy – we are seeking passionate individuals with a strong background in space engineering and extensive experience in real time operations to support one of our customers in Italy.

If you are eager to make a significant impact in the space industry, apply now and embark on an extraordinary space journey with us.

Responsibilities

The SOM is the overall technical and managerial lead responsible for spacecraft operations. The SOM ensures mission objectives are met safely, efficiently, and within resource constraints. The main tasks will be:

  • Lead the Spacecraft Operations Team and coordinate all operational activities.
  • Serve as the primary interface to Mission Management, Flight Director, and external stakeholders.
  • Approve operational strategies, planning schedules, and risk assessments.
  • Oversee anomaly resolution, contingency procedures, and mission recovery.
  • Chair regular Operations Coordination Meetings and Readiness Reviews.
  • Ensure compliance with operational standards and mission documentation (e.g., Operations Concept, Flight Rules, Procedures).
  • Manage staff scheduling, shift rotations, and on-call rosters.
  • Provide quarterly and end-of-phase performance reports.

Requirements

  • MSc in Aerospace or SpaceTelecommunication Engineering or other relevant studies.
  • Proven extensive experience – at least 5 years – in flight operations, including direct involvement in LEOP and commissioning activities.
  • Strong knowledge of satellite subsystems.
  • Familiarity with flight dynamics and mission planning tools and ground control systems.
  • Experience in telemetry analysis and anomaly resolution.
  • Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams under time-critical conditions.
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills.
  • Advanced level of English.
  • Experience in LEO missions will be a plus.
  • Core business hours presence required.
  • On-call 24/7 during critical mission phases (launch, commissioning) and routine.

Legal and Security Requirements

  • Applicants must be legally allowed to work in the EU and hold a European citizenship. Evidence of eligibility will be required from candidates as part of the recruitment process.
  • Copy of passport and degree(s) certificate.
  • Good conduct certificate from the country where currently resident.
  • Furthermore, in view of the nature of the work, all potential employees will undergo stringent reference checks.

Location

The work will be performed from a Control Centre located in Rome from where several satellites composing a constellation will be operated.

Contract

  • Competitive remuneration package, recognizing the value of your skills and expertise.
  • Unique career opportunities, including the possibility of working in other countries with our SSC Group.
  • Personalized training and development programmes.

To be considered for this Position

Prior to 2025-12-15, please apply via our Job Application form.

If not directly interested, feel free to share by  this Job Vacancy with your friends!

To apply for this job please visit ssc.careers.hibob.com.

Aurora at a glance

Aurora Technology is a space consultancy and services provider combining experience and innovation.

Aurora's core business activity is the provision of support for engineering and scientific services to the Space industry. We provide top-notch profiles to bring in your team the needed experience to successfully help and support your projects.

Our Areas of Activity are Earth observation, telecommunications, navigation constellations, interplanetary and astronomical missions, manned space missions, facility management, education & communication. We have been supporting a large array of missions since 1995.

Aurora is part of the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) Group, who is a leading full-service supplier of state-of-the-art space engineering, satellite and launch services to commercial and institutional customers worldwide. Some of our Group’s customers: Eumetsat, DLR, Airbus, NASA, ASI, Cnes, JAXA, and more…
As part of the Engineering Services Division of SSC, Aurora's main customer is the European Space Agency, with a focus on supporting the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands and the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Spain.

Delivery Models

We know how hard is to find specialists in engineering and scientific domains. That’s why our consultancy services are capable to deliver to your organization the right skill set with 3 different types of Delivery Models: 1) Onsite Support @Client's premises; 2) Onsite Service with Deliverables and KPI; 3) Offsite Service @Aurora Offices.

We can offer a wide range of skillsets, which covers the entire space product development life cycle.
The expertise we can provide in our Service & Support Portfolio spans from Preliminary Phase 0/A (conceptual mission design) to Phase F (mission operations, maintenance, and disposal).

Do you want to become a customer or are you looking for collaborations? Get in touch with us:
info@aurora.nl; +31 (0) 71 532 7141

Join Us!

Aurora is a company based on people as our key of success to be an excellence in the market. We encourage all Aurora employees to reach their full professional potential to enable our customers achieve their best results.

Joining out team, you will work with talented experts, contributing to top-level projects, challenging missions, and innovative technologies in the space industry. We offer exciting work, responsibility, a pleasant environment, and excellent remuneration + benefits.

Check our open vacancies
and reach our recruitment team at job@aurora.nl