Data Processing Operations Engineer

VN 26/37 Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer (2 Posts) EUMETSAT operates a fleet of Earth Observation satellites in Low Earth and Geostationary orbits including two Copernicus Sentinel-3 satellites (Sentinel-3A and -3B) and two Copernicus Sentinel-6 satellites (Sentinel-6A Michael Freilich and Sentinel-6B, the latter of which is currently under commissioning), and is preparing for the launch of Sentinel-3C later in 2026. EUMETSAT also plans to exploit more Copernicus satellites, for example to perform secondary objective data processing activities for CRISTAL (the Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter mission) and CIMR (the Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer mission). The data generated by EUMETSAT’s satellite systems and the derived products are supplied to the National Meteorological Services of EUMETSAT’s Member States in Europe, as well as to other users world-wide. This is to support a core objective of EUMETSAT to contribute to the operational monitoring of the climate and the detection of global climate changes. Reporting to the Copernicus Data Processing Team Leader, the Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will conduct and support operations of the data processing and product extraction systems for those Copernicus missions exploited by EUMETSAT; they will also support the future evolutions of these systems. The Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will support the coordination of the operations build up for future Copernicus missions. Please note that we may take 2 candidates from this vacancy notice. Duties - Coordinate and support operations of the Copernicus payload data processing and product extraction systems delivering Level 0 to Level 2 products, including backlog-processing, anomaly reporting and investigations of anomalies; - Support the preparation and maintenance of the operational documentation (such as operations guides, operations interface control documents, operations procedures) for the Copernicus data processing systems; - Contribute to the performance monitoring and analysis of Copernicus data processing services, including the development of tools for monitoring the quality of products and for the production of Key Performance Indicators; - Support data processing development activities of Copernicus missions, including the assessment of deliveries, and contribution to verification and operational validation activities; - Prepare for the Operations of future Copernicus missions, including updating and maintaining the operational documentation (such as operations guides, operations interface control documents, operations procedures) for the Copernicus data processing systems; - Contribute to the definition of the data and product processing concepts as well as operations preparations for future Copernicus missions; - Support the operations preparations and commissioning activities for Copernicus missions exploited by EUMETSAT (e.g. Sentinel 3-C/D, CRISTAL, CIMR, CO2M, Sentinel-3NG and Sentinel-6NG); - Support the medium- and long-term operations planning for Copernicus data processing systems; - Support training activities related to Copernicus data processing; - The main foci for this Copernicus Data Processing Operations Engineer will be the Sentinel-3, CRISTAL and CIMR missions. LOCATION Darmstadt, Germany QUALIFICATIONS A University degree (or equivalent) in an engineering or scientifically relevant discipline. LANGUAGES The official languages of EUMETSAT are English and French. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and preferably have some knowledge of French. DEADLINE 14 September 2026 Skills and Experience - Experience in the operations of complex data processing and/or product processing systems, and experience of development, verification and validation of such systems; - Significant experience in the real- or near real-time acquisition and/or processing of data from space-borne imaging and/or sounding instruments; - Ability to work effectively under pressure, and with a minimum of supervision; - Strong communication, interpersonal and team working skills; - Ability to write concise and focused technical reports; - Very good analytical and problem-solving skills; - Familiarity with UNIX / LINUX. Experience in the following areas would be an advantage: - Scripting languages (i.e. Python, bash, PERL). - C / C++, Oracle; - Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) formats; - Specification, development, and validation of algorithms for meteorological or other remote sensing missions; The holder of this post will support 24/7 operations and is therefore required to be part of an on-call rota, providing 24 hours a day on-call support including during weekends and public holidays on a regular basis. Employment Conditions The initial contract will be of 4 years’ duration, with subsequent 5 year contracts being awarded thereafter, subject to individual performance and organisation requirements. There is no limit to the amount of follow-up contracts a staff member can receive up to the EUMETSAT retirement age of 63 and there are certainly opportunities to establish a long career perspective at EUMETSAT. This post is graded A2/A4 on the EUMETSAT salary scales. The minimum basic salary for this post is EURO 7553.5 per month (net of internal tax but excluding pension contribution and insurances) which may be negotiable on the basis of skills and experience. The salary scale provides for increments on the anniversary of taking up employment, and scales are reviewed by the EUMETSAT Council with effect from 1 January each year. In addition to basic salary, EUMETSAT offers attractive benefits. Further information, including salary details, is available on the EUMETSAT web site. EUMETSAT is committed to providing an equal opportunities work environment for men and women. Please note that only nationals of EUMETSAT Member States may apply. The EUMETSAT Convention requires that Staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, account being taken of the international character of EUMETSAT. About EUMETSAT EUMETSAT is Europe’s meteorological satellite agency. Its role is to establish and operate meteorological satellites to monitor the weather and climate from space - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This information is supplied to the National Meteorological Services of the organisation's Member States in Europe, as well as other users worldwide. EUMETSAT also operates several Copernicus missions on behalf of the European Union and provide data services to the Copernicus marine and atmospheric services and their users. As an intergovernmental European Organisation, EUMETSAT has 30 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.)