System Engineer

Are you looking for a new opportunity to take your career to a higher orbit? To join an international group with a successful track record in Space Engineering? A job adapted to your career ambitions and in which you could have an impact for the years to come?

We’re looking for a System Engineer to join the Starion Service team supporting the ESA Data Science Section at ESAC in Madrid. In this role, you’ll help develop and operate ESA Datalabs, a cutting‑edge cloud platform that gives scientists direct access to ESA’s extensive space science archives.

About the client and location

The European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) is the European Space Agency’s (ESA) based in Madrid, Spain. ESAC is responsible for all of ESA’s research into astronomy and solar system exploration, as well as being the location of ESA’s space telescope. It is from here that archives are stored on ESA’s science missions, which are then made accessible for researchers all around the world.

Tasks and activities

The scope of work will include:

• Maintaining CIDL and technical documentation (configurations, procedures, best practices) and guiding the team on documentation standards.
• Configuring, administering and using tools including Rancher, Kubernetes, Harness, Bitbucket, Nexus, Jira, Confluence, Zabbix, Splunk, SonarQube, and WordPress—ensuring secure access and reliable operations.
• Ensuring smooth deployments, maintaining and improving the CI/CD toolstack, developing tests, and validating new features and fixes.
• Coordinating software releases in an Agile environment, enforcing change‑management procedures, and support Jira/Confluence for issues, requirements, and project documentation. Providing feedback and validation for Jira PCRs and Service Desk tickets.
• Contributing to internal tools and services development using Python, TypeScript, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, OpenLDAP, Redis, and Elasticsearch.
• Monitoring alerts (Jira, email, Teams, Zabbix, Splunk, Grafana), tracking tickets, and providing real‑time technical support.
• Managing user onboarding and offboarding, including access control, VPN setup, and group membership administration.
• Collaborating with ESA IT teams to resolve infrastructure issues, support system integrations, and coordinating with other projects and missions using the EDL service.
• Participating in Scrum ceremonies, Sprint Reviews/Planning, progress meetings, User Group sessions, and contributing to workshops or publications.

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Skills and experience

The following skills and experience are mandatory:

• Degree in Computer Science or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in system engineering or DevOps, with strong CI/CD and containerization expertise.
• Strong knowledge of Kubernetes, Rancher, Git, Harness, and Nexus.
• Experience with monitoring tools (Zabbix, Splunk), VPN/LDAP, Jira, Confluence, and Jira Service Management.
• Hands-on experience with Python, TypeScript, GraphQL, PostgreSQL, OpenLDAP, Redis, and Elasticsearch.
• Background in Agile release and change management, validation and testing, and technical documentation (including CIDL).
• Proven ability in user support, troubleshooting, real‑time monitoring, and cross‑team communication.
• Comfortable working in Agile/Scrum environments, both independently and within multicultural teams.
• Solution‑oriented mindset with customer‑focused communication;
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken (Spanish is a plus).

The following skills and experience would be highly desirable:

• Familiarity with ESA systems, including Cosmos, ESA Datalabs, and GSSC.
• Experience with WordPress and Microsoft Teams/Cosmos CAS tools.
• Knowledge of DevSecOps practices and/or ML/data‑science platforms.
• Contributions to workshops, conferences, or publications.
• Background in international and multi‑stakeholder environments.

Why should you apply?

• You will have the opportunity to work within leading space organisations across Europe.
• We encourage everyone to think outside the box and to push the boundaries of traditional knowledge. This role is an opportunity to join a forward-thinking company and allows for a deeper understanding of the industry.
• To be part of a company that values integrity, inspiration, care and collaboration.
• Benefits include: competitive remuneration packages; unique career opportunities, including working in other countries; access to training and development programmes; and flexible relocation support.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

As part of our commitment to providing an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment process, we will provide reasonable adjustments and support to ensure neuro-diverse applicants or those with a disability or long-term condition can be their best during the recruitment process.