Systems Engineer

Job Description:

MOI-IT System Engineer

Description

The Mission Operations IT (MOI-IT) infrastructure provides the critical IT services supporting ESA's spacecraft operations, mission preparation activities and ground segment engineering. The infrastructure includes on-premises cloud platforms, virtualisation, Linux systems, container platforms, storage, networking, monitoring and automation services used by multiple ESA missions.

As an MOI-IT System Engineer, you will contribute to the design, deployment, operation and continuous evolution of highly available IT platforms supporting mission-critical operations. Working in a multidisciplinary team, you will participate throughout the entire system lifecycle, from requirements engineering and architecture to implementation, validation and operational support.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of Section, your responsibilities will include:

• Designing and maintaining mission-critical IT infrastructure supporting ESA spacecraft operations.
• Engineering Linux-based server platforms and virtual infrastructure.
• Designing, deploying and operating Kubernetes-based container platforms.
• Managing enterprise storage solutions, including Ceph and distributed storage technologies.
• Maintaining databases and associated backup and recovery solutions.
• Developing Infrastructure-as-Code and configuration management solutions using Ansible and Git.
• Designing and implementing CI/CD pipelines for automated software deployment.
• Integrating systems with LDAP/Active Directory identity management services.
• Implementing secure authentication, certificate lifecycle management and PKI solutions.
• Supporting mission-specific IT environments during development, validation and operations.
• Performing system integration, acceptance testing and operational readiness activities.
• Monitoring system performance, analysing incidents and performing root-cause investigations.
• Providing second- and third-line engineering support for operational services.
• Producing High-Level Designs (HLD), Low-Level Designs (LLD), operational procedures and technical documentation.
• Supporting technology evolution projects and infrastructure modernisation initiatives.
• Contributing to cybersecurity hardening following ESA security policies and industry best practices.
• Participating in technical reviews, design reviews and anomaly investigations.

Technical Environment

The successful candidate will work with technologies such as:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) / Ubuntu / SLES
• Kubernetes
• Podman / LXD Containers
• Ceph Storage
• VMware / KVM virtualisation
• PostgreSQL / MySQL / MariaDB
• Git
• Ansible
• Jenkins / GitLab CI
• Python / Bash scripting
• Prometheus & Grafana
• LDAP / Active Directory
• PKI & TLS Certificates
• NGINX
• DNS, DHCP, NTP
• Enterprise Networking
• SAN/NAS storage
• Monitoring and logging platforms

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering or a related discipline.
• Several years of professional experience in Linux systems engineering.
• Experience designing and operating highly available IT infrastructures.
• Experience with container orchestration technologies, preferably Kubernetes.
• Experience with automation and Infrastructure-as-Code.
• Good understanding of networking principles.
• Experience with enterprise storage technologies.
• Knowledge of database administration.
• Experience with scripting using Python or Bash.
• Familiarity with DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.
• Good analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Excellent communication skills in English.

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas would be considered an asset:

• Space mission operations
• Ground segment engineering
• High-performance computing
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud-native technologies
• Distributed storage systems
• Identity and Access Management
• Disaster Recovery planning
• Operational monitoring systems
• Service Management (ITIL)
• Agile and DevOps methodologies

Behavioural Competencies

• Results Orientation
• Problem Solving
• Continuous Improvement
• Teamwork
• Customer Focus
• Innovation
• Planning and Organisation
• Technical Excellence

What We Offer

You will contribute to the IT infrastructure supporting ESA's scientific and operational missions, working with modern technologies in a highly collaborative international environment. The role provides opportunities to influence the evolution of mission-critical infrastructure through automation, cloud-native technologies, cybersecurity and systems engineering while supporting some of Europe's most important space programmes.

This profile also aligns well with current MOI-IT activities at ESOC, including Linux platform engineering, Kubernetes, on-premises cloud infrastructure, automation, secure access management, storage, networking, and operational support.

Seniority:

Senior

Primary Location:

DE - Darmstadt - ESOC

Contract Type:

Hybrid Working:

Hybrid