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Science Operations Scientist

Hybrid in Madrid·Added 3 days ago

SSC Space

2 open roles

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Overview

Job details

Permanent contract
Per the ad.
Hybrid
Office and home days — the ad has the split.

Requirements

Have the right to work in Spain
SSC Space doesn't mention sponsorship in the ad.
Work in English
English is required, per the ad.
Be near Madrid for hybrid days
No relocation package mentioned.
Doctorate
“A PhD in Planetary Science or a related discipline (e.g., Astronomy, Physics).” — per the ad.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

All employees receive good remuneration in line with function and experience.
When autonomous then teleworking can often be utilised.
You will be registered for both social security and tax in Spain.
There are 12 public holidays and an additional 30 annual days holiday.
In addition to public health services, SSC Space provides private medical insurance in Spain (the inclusion into the private health insurance policy is at the discretion of the insurance provider).
Training to improve efficiency and provide strength for future career are of course included.

Visa & relocation

· All applicants must be legally allowed to work in Spain without the need to obtain a work visa. Only European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and SWISS citizens can be employed by SSC Space in Spain.

· Applicants are required to provide a copy of their passport and degree certificate. SSC Space will validate the Degree with the issuing University.

· In line with ESA’s security requirements, prior to issuing a letter of employment the applicant shall provide to SSC Space a recent official document declaring that they are of good conduct from the country where currently resident, and SSC Space will validate your employment history.

Requirements

What we're looking for

Specific qualification requirements
· A PhD in Planetary Science or a related discipline (e.g., Astronomy, Physics).

· Active researcher in planetary science.

· Familiarity with the science community and expertise in a field relevant for the mission(s).

· Connected and with good reputation in the planetary science community, with which s/he will have to interact regularly.

· Experience in coordinating internal/external stakeholders on scientific projects.

· Experience in science operations for planetary missions or expertise in space instrumentation.

· Good planning and organisation skills, team spirit and ability to work in an international environment.

· Proficiency with at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python).

· Be fluent in spoken and written English.

· Good communication skills.

· Good team working skills.

The role

Welcome to SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation), the perfect workplace for those passionate about technology in general and space in particular.

With space organizations, research institutes, institutional and commercial actors as customers, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, space consulting services, rocket and balloon systems, flight test services, satellite propulsion systems, and much more.

SSC Space also has one of the world’s largest global networks of ground stations for satellite communications. We own and operate the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, northern Sweden, with the aim of launching satellites in the near future.

Are you fueled by a passion for people and the ambition to create an awesome workplace? Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey with us to help earth benefit from space?

If you answer yes to these questions, we invite you to seize the opportunity to make a significant impact. We are looking for a dedicated professional who shares our core values of Customer passion, Care, Collaboration, Curiosity, and Courage.

What you'll do

As Science Operations Scientist you will be assigned to one or two ESA Planetary missions. We currently support the JUICE, BepiColombo, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, EnVision, Mars Express, Hera, and M-Matisse missions. You will join the SSC Space Service team supporting the Science Operation Centres (SOC) which are responsible for the Science Operations of the Missions.

Specific Service Tasks
As part of the service, the following main tasks will have to be carried out:

· Support to strategic science planning.

· Support to long term science planning.

· Definition and maintenance of instruments observations.

· Scientific and operational monitoring of science operation scenarios.

· Quick-look analysis. Definition of use cases and testing.

· Coverage analysis of science observations.

· Specification of requirements, design, development, testing, validation of any scripts and software required to support each task.

You will be the SOC contact point for several instrument teams in all operational matters, making sure that the instrument science planning, calibration, and quick-look requirements are properly formulated and understood.

In addition, you will contribute to the development of the Science Operations System by specifying requirements and developing prototypes.

Hiring process

Prior to 2026-10-31, please apply via our Job Application form.

If not directly interested, feel free to share this Job Vacancy with your friends!

About SSC Space

SSC Space is a leading global provider of advanced space services, operating in the space services industry. The company offers services in science, ground segment, rocket test and launch services, including sounding rockets, stratospheric balloons, ground instruments, payload development, ground stations, spacecraft operations and engineering, and satellite launch and rocket test services. With more than 35 years of experience in engineering services, SSC Space supports space missions for earth observation, telecommunications, navigation, interplanetary, astronomical, and manned spaceflights. The company operates Esrange Space Center in Sweden and serves customers worldwide, including the European Space Agency (ESA).

SSC Space has a presence in Spain, with an office in Madrid, where it is currently hiring for roles such as System Administrator and Senior JAVA Software Developer. The company's work culture emphasizes sustainability, with a strategic goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. For international professionals, SSC Space offers opportunities to work on cutting-edge space projects and collaborate with a global team, making it an attractive employer for those seeking to relocate to Spain.

Industry: Space Services
Headquarters: Solna, Sweden
In Spain: Madrid
Website: sscspace.com

Good to know if you are moving

SSC Space has an office in Madrid, Spain, where it is currently hiring for technical roles such as System Administrator and Senior JAVA Software Developer.
The company operates Esrange Space Center in Sweden, offering opportunities to work on rocket and balloon launches and satellite operations.
SSC Space provides services to international customers, including the European Space Agency (ESA), indicating a global work environment.
The company emphasizes sustainability, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040, which may appeal to environmentally conscious professionals.

In their own words

About the company & team

SSC Space is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space.

With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions.

We help Earth benefit from space. Learn more at sscspace.com

All open roles at SSC Space