Senior Systems Operations Engineer | JobSetuu

Description

Job Overview

• Source: Arbeitnow
• Location: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description

As a Senior Systems Operations Engineer at Spire, you will be responsible for ensuring that on-orbit mission operations meet and sustain technical and service-level objectives. You will serve as the technical link between the development and operations phases of the mission lifecycle, ensuring that the constellation behaves as expected and that any deviations are rapidly understood, assessed, and resolved with sound engineering judgment.  

This role is central to Spire's strategy to deliver scalable, reliable, and technically assured services using model-based engineering and validated asset profiles. Your work will ensure that decisions affecting constellation performance are made with technical insight.  

Role Responsibilities:  

• Own the technical quality of mission operations during the on-orbit service period, ensuring Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are well defined, monitored, and maintained. 
• Assess and design strategies to address underperformance, providing detailed technical insight and coordinating resolution strategies in collaboration with Systems Engineering, Mission Design, and SRE. 
• Define and manage the high-level structure and performance requirements of asset profiles, ensuring they accurately represent mission needs and provide a clear basis for verification. Work with System Owners and SMEs to ensure subsystem capabilities are properly characterised, and with SREs to ensure ongoing validation of in-orbit performance. 
• Bridge the gap between Systems Engineering, Mission Design, Program Management, Customer Service, and SRE by providing technical leadership during the mission service period. Define the tooling and functional monitoring needs that enable the SRE team to maintain constellation health and respond effectively to deviations. 
• Support SRE, Platform, and Customer Service leads in triaging constellation or satellite issues that deviate from nominal asset profile definitions, ensuring escalation paths and responses are technically justified. 
• Act as a technical reviewer and contributor during Mission Readiness Review (MRR) and pre-launch handover, ensuring operational teams are equipped with validated, well-understood assets and clearly defined expectations for mission performance. 
• Identify operational risks and propose mitigations related to in-orbit performance, platform limitations, or evolving CONOPS. 
• Ensure technical consistency and justification for on-orbit changes such as mode transitions, re-tasking, or adjustments to duty cycles or resource allocations. Lead the rollout of complex fleet-wide changes when CONOPS are being updated, ensuring risks and dependencies are managed. 
• Collaborate across SRE, Platform, and Systems teams to codify lessons learned into reusable operational standards, documentation, and improved design practices for future missions. 
• Derive and maintain Operational Requirements by helping project teams translate mission and system-level requirements into operational-level non-functional requirements (SLOs, latency, freshness, availability), with verification methods and traceability. 
• Support configuration control during service, helping manage the versioned operational baseline (limits, parameters, tasking configurations) and working with SREs, System Owners, and Customer Service to prevent configuration drift across the fleet. 
• Support the definition and coverage of FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery) logic, ensuring coverage against top failure modes and reducing residual operational risk over time. 

Basic Qualifications:  

• BSc in Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, or other relevant technical discipline. 
• 3+ years of experience in system performance monitoring, root cause analysis, and anomaly resolution. 
• Solid understanding of space system behaviour on orbit, including thermal dynamics, power management, RF communications, and tasking impacts. 
• Ability to translate system-level engineering context into clear operational guidance and tooling requirements. 
• Familiarity with SLA-driven architectures, system observability, and mission assurance principles. 
• Clear communication skills to align stakeholders across engineering, operations, and customer delivery. 
• Familiarity with software tools and frameworks used in operations, including strong Python, SQL skills and GitHub-based workflows. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience supporting operations of multi-satellite constellations. 
• Knowledge of asset profiling approaches and system models (including fault profiles, mode transitions, and performance boundaries). 
• Understanding of ground-segment tooling, SRE practices, or telemetry/telecommand systems. 
• Experience working with cross-functional, multi-time zone teams across engineering and operations. 
• Background in satellite mission design, including the transition from development to operations. _LI-MK1

Spire operates a hybrid work model, and this position will require you to work a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Access to US export-controlled software and/or technology may be required for this role. If needed, Spire will arrange the necessary licenses—this is not something candidates need to have before applying. _LI-MK1

 

Find Jobs in Germany on Arbeitnow

Expert Career Tips for Senior Systems Operations Engineer Roles

To succeed in a competitive market as a Senior Systems Operations Engineer, you need more than just technical skills. Here are some expert strategies to elevate your profile:

• Build a Strong Portfolio: For technical roles, a clean GitHub or a personal project site is essential. For non-technical roles, a case study portfolio demonstrating problem-solving and impact is equally valuable. Show, don't just tell, what you have achieved in your previous positions.
• Master the Narrative: When interviewing, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Quantify your results wherever possible—mentioning "increased efficiency by 20%" is much more impactful than saying "improved efficiency."
• Continuous Learning: The industry moves fast. Whether it's staying updated with the latest AI tools or mastering a new management methodology, continuous professional development is key. Consider obtaining industry-recognized certifications that align with Senior Systems Operations Engineer requirements.
• Networking: Connect with other professionals in similar roles. Join online communities, attend webinars, and engage in meaningful discussions on professional social networks. Often, the best opportunities come through referrals and community engagement.
• Soft Skills Matter: Communication, empathy, and leadership are often the deciding factors between two equally qualified technical candidates. Cultivate these skills as they are universally valued across all industries and seniority levels.

Additionally, research the specific company's culture and values. Tailoring your application to show how you align with their mission can significantly increase your chances of moving forward in the process.

Salary & Compensation

Salary not disclosed; typically competitive for the role.

Work Arrangement

Type: On-Site

Standard business hours at the office.

Comprehensive Application Strategy & Hiring Process

Applying for a new role is a marathon, not a sprint. Follow this strategic approach to maximize your success rate:

1. Initial Research & Tailoring

Don't send the same resume to every employer. Spend at least 30 minutes researching the company. Look for recent news, their product roadmap, and their team structure. Modify your summary and core competencies to reflect the specific keywords found in the job description.

2. The Perfect Cover Letter

If the application allows for a cover letter, use it to tell a story that your resume cannot. Explain why you are passionate about this specific company and how your unique background makes you the perfect fit for the challenges they are currently facing.

3. Navigating the Multi-Stage Interview

Most modern hiring processes involve 3-5 stages. This typically includes a recruiter screen, a technical or skill-based assessment, a peer interview, and a final leadership round. Prepare for each stage differently: focus on enthusiasm and fit for the recruiter, technical depth for the assessment, and strategic vision for the leadership round.

4. Post-Interview Follow-Up

Always send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of each interview. Reference a specific topic discussed during the call to demonstrate your active listening and genuine interest in the role.

By following these steps, you demonstrate a high level of professionalism and attention to detail that sets you apart from the average applicant.

Typical Interview Process

1. Resume screening
2. HR call
3. Skill interview
4. Final manager interview
5. Offer

Tip: Research the company's products and culture.

Global Market Intelligence & Relocation Insights

At JobSetuu, we specialize in helping talent navigate the global job market. Here is what you need to know about the current landscape in Munich, Bavaria, Germany and beyond:

The demand for skilled professionals is increasingly borderless. For roles based in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, understanding the local cost of living, visa requirements (if applicable), and cultural nuances is vital. If this is a remote role, consider the time zone alignment and the asynchronous communication culture of the hiring organization.

Relocation Support: Many forward-thinking companies offer relocation packages that include moving stipends, temporary housing, and legal assistance with work permits. When evaluating an offer, look beyond the base salary—consider the total compensation package, including equity, bonuses, and healthcare benefits.

Work-Life Balance Trends: Hybrid and remote work have become standard in many regions. Research the local labor laws and common practices regarding work hours and vacation time to ensure the role aligns with your lifestyle goals.

Leveraging JobSetuu's tools can help you compare salaries across different cities and understand the "purchasing power" of your potential offer, ensuring you make an informed decision for your long-term career path.

Skills & Competency Roadmap for Professional Development

To remain competitive in Professional Development, we recommend focusing on the following core competencies over the next 12-18 months:

• Technical Mastery: Deepen your expertise in the core tools and languages relevant to your field. For developers, this might be cloud architecture; for marketers, it might be data-driven attribution modeling.
• AI Augmentation: Learn how to leverage generative AI and automation tools to increase your productivity. Understanding how to integrate these technologies into your workflow is becoming a non-negotiable skill.
• Leadership & Strategy: Even in individual contributor roles, the ability to think strategically and lead projects from inception to completion is highly valued. Focus on stakeholder management and high-level project planning.
• Data Literacy: The ability to interpret data and use it to drive decisions is essential across all business functions. Familiarize yourself with data visualization and basic analytical concepts.

By investing in these areas, you not only prepare yourself for the role you are applying for today but also build a resilient foundation for the opportunities of tomorrow.

Apply via JobSetuu

Discover your next career milestone on JobSetuu. This Senior Systems Operations Engineer position is part of our commitment to bringing you the most relevant and high-impact job openings globally. At JobSetuu, we simplify your job search by aggregating premier listings and providing the tools you need to stand out. Don't miss the chance to elevate your professional journey—explore more opportunities and career insights on our platform today.