VN 25/12 System Development Lifecycle Engineer

The Programmes in Preparation and Development Department (PRD) manages the development of next-generation programmes in various phases of development in addition to other activities. This includes the EUMETSAT Polar System Second Generation (EPS-SG), Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), current and future Altimetry Missions (Jason-CS and others), Small Satellites & Constellations, and other Sentinel missions.

Within the New Programmes and Services Division (NPS), and supporting relevant cross-departmental governance bodies, the Systems Development Lifecycle Engineer (SDE) will play a key role in implementing EUMETSAT’s Multi-Mission Ground System (MMGS) approach across programmes. The position encompasses contributions to the Functional Areas management Boards (FAMBs) for Roadmap and Mid-Term Evolution Plan (MTEP), with the objective to define harmonized, multi-programme requirements, functional system-level architecture, and cross-departmental collaboration to identify streamlined solutions. This role is pivotal in preparing the M4G and EPS-TG programmes, ensuring their alignment with MMGS approach, and advancing system architecting, development lifecycle, and software modernization to meet evolving programme needs. Additionally, the SDE will support the alignment of development lifecycles, corporate tools and working practices to facilitate a seamless transition from Phase B to Phases C and D.

The post also supports functional and technology experts, system architecture, development lifecycle tools and advanced technologies like AI and Machine Learning (AI-ML) to optimize programme preparation and engineering activities. The SDE will work in close coordination with the ground system functional areas experts in the Technical and Scientific Support department.

Duties

• Analysis of the activities related to the Roadmap and MTEP, contributing to long-term planning and cost/benefit projections;
• Participates in defining harmonized, multi-programme requirements and functional system-level architecture in collaboration with functional experts;
• Develops and maintains a cross-programme lifecycle management approach, ensuring alignment with corporate infrastructure, evolving cloud solutions, and fostering collaboration across IT, infrastructure, ground segment and development teams;
• Drives the integration of system engineering lifecycle tools, adoption of agile methodologies, and implementation of enabling technologies such as CI/CD pipelines and automated testing frameworks to streamline processes;
• Supports the transition between development lifecycle phases (B to C/D) by identifying efficient, cross-programme solutions and promoting agile practices, including version control and change management, to ensure seamless updates and releases;
• Collaborates with cross-departmental governance bodies and ground system functional area experts in the Technical and Scientific Support department to define and implement multi-programme requirements and CI/CD strategies, incorporating security measures and quality analysis throughout the development lifecycle.

Skills and Experience

• Strong experience on all phases of the software development lifecycle including ECSS, with expertise in requirements engineering, architectural design, and integration, verification and validation. Proven ability to manage all phases of the software lifecycle, including requirements gathering (DOORS), functional and technical design, implementation, verification, and validation, particularly in operational ground segments for space programmes;
• Strong background in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), including experience with meta-modelling, automation, and document generation to support requirements, functional architecture, interface definition synthesis, and IVV activities. Tools such as Vitech CORE and Sparx Enterprise Architect are considered an advantage;
• Proven experience in impact analysis and technical budget for assessing risk, benefit against requirements, functional, evolutions/technology changes and obsolescence;
• Experience in change management processes, methodologies and version control systems is considered an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills combined with the ability to work effectively with cross functional teams, including developers, testers, security, infrastructure engineers, and project/procurement managers, to align efforts and achieve goals.

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 7340 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. Applicants are required to disclose all nationalities they have held and currently hold in order to determine whether they can exercise the role as advertised in compliance with applicable export control regulations.

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