Spacecraft Systems Engineering Manager

SWISSto12 is one of the world’s fastest-growing aerospace companies, evolving from its pioneering use of 3D printing technologies for high-performance Radio Frequency (RF) products and applications to recently announcing the manufacture of entire geostationary telecom satellites, called HummingSat, that define a new category in space.

HummingSat is the world’s first commercial telecom GEO SmallSat developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). Its uniquely compact size combined with highly capable telecom payloads allows telecommunications operators to deploy a cost-efficient, compact and agile asset without sacrificing performance or security. HummingSat has recently been selected by Inmarsat to build three I-8 satellites and in 2022 by Intelsat to build the IS-45 satellite.

SWISSto12 is also a leading provider of Radio-Frequency (RF) products and sub-systems. The company’s patented 3D printing technologies and associated product designs are unique to deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF products.

We are looking for an experienced Spacecraft Systems Engineering Manager to join team for our HummingSat GEO satellite product line. If you are looking for position where you can play an active role in contributing to innovative and growing company, this role is for you.

• Demonstrate extensive technical expertise and application of engineering principles, concepts, theory, and practice, as well as comprehensive project management and leadership skills including organizing, planning, scheduling, and coordination to meet established milestones
• Real-world experience with system architecture, requirements definition, flow down, tracking and performing system-level analyses in support of trade studies
• Extensive experience with satellite system and missions
• Understanding of principles for spacecraft design, manufacture, assembly, integration, test, and operation
• Proven ability to resolve complex technical problems and complex management of technical activities
• Excellent customer focus with experience managing customers and supplier interfaces
• Able to work on a self-initiated basis, while being part of a team
• Proven ability to “think outside of the box” and thrive in an often-ambiguous trade-space
• Demonstrated ability to write clear technical documentation of high quality
• Excellent communication skills and ease at working across different cultures and different levels of an organization
• Experience with various relevant schedule tools
• Masters or PhD degree in Aerospace, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Physics, or equivalent and at least 10 years of relevant experience working with incrementally complex telecom satellite systems
• Language: Fluent English is a prerequisite
• Knowledge of the ISO 9001 and EN/AS 9100 norms as well as preventive and curative quality tools (8D, Ishikawa, FMEA, risk analysis,) is an optional plus

• Lead geostationary telecom satellite spacecraft systems engineering activity, working with our satellite program team and our external partners and suppliers
• Ensure the system is designed for its intended purpose and analyse technical trade-offs
• Manage spacecraft systems requirement flow-down, verification, and validation
• Manage spacecraft platform subsystem interfaces (power, telemetry and telecommand, command and data handling, attitude control, thermal, propulsion, structure, mechanisms, etc)
• Performs system analyses, trades, design, and development tasks
• Responsible for writing quality technical documentation for contract deliverables in your domain of expertise
• Develop relationships with platform and spacecraft subsystem suppliers and partners; working with them to Design, Manufacture, Assemble, Integrate and Test such subsystems
• Define and prepare SoWs and specifications, work alongside our program management team to monitor the execution of activities, contribute to problem solving and ensure the successful delivery of these activities
• Support systems aspects of telecom satellite proposals
• Collaborate with technical staff, program managers and executive management to develop and implement current and long-term technical, schedule, quality, business, and financial objectives relevant to the satellite program efforts
• Be responsible for decisions that have an extended impact
• Ensure technical leadership and excellence is maintained by mentoring our less experienced engineers, and directing and participating in the planning, attraction, selection, retention, and development of our talent
• Develop and implement systems engineering processes and tools that may not yet be fully established in a small and growing company
• Occasionally, you will be asked to participate in overall tasks and services inherent to a dynamic fast-growing company

To be chatted during your exchange with our recruitment team.

More about SWISSto12:

SWISSto12 has successfully established contracts with ViaSat (acqu. Inmarsat), Intelsat and ESA for HummingSat as well as contracts for its RF product line in Europe and the USA with prominent partners and customers such as Thales, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and ESA. SWISSto12 is a spin off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. SWISSto12 is headquartered in Renens (close to Lausanne, Switzerland), and operates subsidiaries in Foster City California USA, Virginia USA, and Madrid Spain. The company is well funded for its developments and backed by a solid customer revenue stream with near term profitability.