Space Debris Engineer

Space Debris Engineer

VisionSpace Technologies

Darmstadt, Germany

VisionSpace is a dynamic and experienced consulting, technology, and engineering service business that develops and integrates enterprise-level solutions for Space and Defense. Our team consists of highly skilled professionals focused on delivering smart and reliable solutions in the fields of Aerospace, Cyber Security, Automated Systems, and Machine Learning.

Our Motto: Space and Beyond is Our Playground – We empower our customers to shape the future of satellite operations by integrating automation and intelligence into autonomous systems.

About the Position

VisionSpace is seeking a mid-to-senior level Space Debris Engineer to support, analyze, develop, and conduct research activities within the ESA Space Debris Office. The role involves developing and maintaining critical tools for debris mitigation, space safety, and re-entry forecasting, contributing to ESA’s Space Safety Program and compliance verification processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the integration and commercialization of the Debris Mitigation Facility (DMF);
• Act as product owner and developer, managing contributions from ESA, commercial, and R&D teams;
• Maintain and update CI/CD pipelines in ESA’s GitLab infrastructure;
• Support ESA and external customers in defining use cases and maintaining software functionality;
• Generate reports on software usage and train internal and external users on space debris analysis tools;
• Conduct mission compliance verification analyses using tools like DMF, DRAMA, Scarab, and Snappshot;
• Contribute to the development of the Consolidated Astrodynamics Platform and DISCOS database;
• Support ESA’s re-entry forecasting process and standardization efforts in space debris management;
• Participate in international conferences and public outreach activities related to space debris;
• Provide technical expertise for media interviews on space debris topics.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• University degree in Astronomy, Mathematics, Engineering, or Physics;
• Strong problem-solving skills in mathematical and dynamical applications;
• Experience in developing and operating software for technical solutions (Linux scripting, Fortran, C++, Python);
• Excellent communication and presentation skills;
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written;
• Ability to coordinate and interact with multiple stakeholders, including ESA and external partners;
• Ability to work independently while effectively communicating within a larger team;
• Experience in space debris standardization activities, particularly data exchange standards;
• Proven experience in assessing compliance with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Desirable:

• Familiarity with ESOC operations and Space Debris Office tasks;
• Experience working with external partners and stakeholders;
• Proficiency in Linux, network services, protocols, and system administration;
• Strong multi-tasking capabilities, handling multiple missions simultaneously.

If you are passionate about space safety and orbital debris management, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a high-impact program.

Apply Now