Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Team Leader

Vacancy details

Type of contractTemporary AgentReference numberEUSPA/2026/AD/004

Grade/Function groupAD9Place of employment1San Martín de la Vega, Community of Madrid / Spain

Deadline for applications12.05.2026 11:59 AM (GMT+2)

Contract duration (Y)5Possibility of renewal2yes

Desired start dateAs soon as possiblePossible reserve list valid until31.12.2026

Organisational departmentOffice of Chief Operating OfficerReporting to3Chief Operating Officer

Level of security clearance4SECRET UE / EU SECRET

[1] The place of employment is subject to changes in the interest of the service and always under due consideration of the Staff Member’s interests. [2] Possibility of renewal for a fixed period and a further renewal for an indefinite period on the conditions set out in the Staff Regulations and in the Conditions of Employment for Other Servants [3] The organisational department and the hierarchical reporting line may change in line with the developments of the EUSPA and department’s organisation. [4] The successful candidate shall be able and willing to apply for a personnel security clearance, issued by an EU Member State, at the level defined above immediately after the contract signature or at a later stage. The procedure for obtaining a personnel security clearance shall be initiated on request of the employer only, and not by the individual candidate. Description of the EU classified information levels is available here.

1. EUSPA AND THE HIRING DEPARTMENT

The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) provides safe, secure, and innovative satellite navigation and communication services for Europe. We advance the commercialisation of Galileo, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), and Copernicus data and services, while engaging in secure SATCOM (GOVSATCOM & IRIS²), and operating the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Front-Desk. Our work strengthens European autonomy in space technologies, fosters innovation, and supports critical sectors such as transport, agriculture, and economic development across the EU. For more information on the EUSPA and the EU Space Programme, click here.

At EUSPA, we aim for our workforce to be representative of European society and strongly welcome applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to create a workplace where each staff member feels valued and respected, can give their best and can develop to their full potential. We believe that diversity drives excellence, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to our shared mission.

To promote diversity and establish a geographically balanced pool of candidates, we strongly encourage applicants from Member States which are lesser represented in the Agency workforce to apply. These Member States are currently Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden. Recruitment will however remain strictly based on the merits of all applicants and no advantage will be given and no positions will be reserved for nationals of any specific Member State.

The current vacancy will offer an opportunity to lead the SST team responsible for the EU Space Programme’s SST Front Desk operations. The Front Desk is the main interface for delivering SST information and services between the EU SST Partnership and the user community, including activities related to user coordination, service performance, engagement and communication.

The position requires permanent relocation to Spain. The place of employment for this position is the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre back-up site located in Technological Institute La Marañosa, San Martín de la Vega, Community of Madrid.

2. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EUSPA is looking for a Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) Team Leader who, among other things, will be responsible for the leadership, management, and development of the SST team and its activities.

The jobholder will be entrusted with the following main tasks and responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the SST team promoting growth and engagement of staff;
• Lead, develop and implement the SST activities, in the scope of domains such as the Space Surveillance and Tracking Support Framework and other related space and defence EU initiatives;
• Be responsible for defining, negotiating, coordinating, and monitoring the execution of the required agreements including projects grants, related with the implementation of SST activities;
• Lead the activity outcomes, overall planning and coordination of related projects activities, under different functional grouping (i.e. project management, user engagement, communication; software development and security; operations and reporting), and the use of the dedicated financial resources;
• Ensure SST activities are user-oriented in view to build-up and expand the community of SST Users, aligned with the development of EUSPA’s role, and in close cooperation with Member States;
• Develop and implement SST activities, in synergy and cooperation with internal and external stakeholders, including Member States, European Commission, SST Users among others;
• Acts as a liaison person, when appropriate, for cooperation on SST matters with external entities, and represents EUSPA both at working and decision-making levels (incl. participation to relevant SST Committees);
• Contribute to the strategic planning for the future of EUSPA in SSA as well as in related activities, including for all components of SSA, such as Space Surveillance and Tracking, Space Weather and Near-Earth Objects, and in other areas of development such Space Traffic Management and Space Domain Awareness;
• Liaise with other departments, notably in the area of Administration, to ensure the execution of related corporate tasks, such as planning, reporting, administration, financial & budget management, risk management;
• Contribute to any other tasks of the department as necessary.

3. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the following eligibility criteria, on the closing date for application:

1. Have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies5 attested by a diploma when the normal period of university education is four years or more

   OR

   A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies attested by a diploma and at least one year of appropriate professional experience when the normal period of university education is three years

2. In addition to the above, appropriate professional experience6 of at least twelve years after obtaining the required diploma

3. Be a national of a Member State of the European Union, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland

4. Be entitled to their full rights as a citizen

5. Have fulfilled any obligations imposed by the applicable laws concerning military service

6. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved7

7. Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the languages of the European Union8 and a satisfactory knowledge (minimum B2 level) of another language of the European Union8

8. Be physically fit to perform the duties linked to the post9

Temporary agents (2f) from EUSPA and other EU agencies are invited to apply in accordance with the following EUSPA rules: https://www.euspa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2024-04/conditions_of_employment_of_temporary_staff_ta.pdf. The grade bracket applicable for internal and inter-agency mobility is AD9 – AD10.

[5] Only study titles that have been awarded in EU Member States or that are subject to the equivalence certificates issued by the authorities in the said Member States shall be taken into consideration. Qualifications/diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom until 31/12/2020 are accepted without further recognition. For diplomas awarded in the United Kingdom after this date (from 01/01/2021), a NARIC recognition is required: https://www.enic-naric.net/.

[6] Only appropriate professional experience acquired after achieving the minimum qualification stated in point.1 shall be considered. Where additional periods of training and study are accompanied by periods of professional activity, only the latter shall be considered as professional experience. Compulsory military service or equivalent civilian service accomplished after achieving the minimum qualification stated in point.1 shall be taken into consideration. Internships will be taken into consideration, if they are paid. Professional activities pursued part-time shall be calculated pro rata, on the basis of the percentage of full-time hours worked. A given period may be counted only once.

[7] Prior to the appointment, the successful candidate will be asked to provide a Police certificate confirming the absence of any criminal record.

[8] The languages of the EU are: Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish. The level shall be determined according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

[9] Before a successful candidate can be appointed, they will be medically examined by a selected medical service so that the Agency will be satisfied that they fulfil the requirement of Article 28(e) of the Staff Regulation of Officials of the European Union.

4. SELECTION CRITERIA

All eligible applications that meet the criteria outlined above will be fairly and objectively assessed against the selection criteria based solely on the information candidates provide in their applications. The Selection Board responsible for this selection will determine the criteria to be assessed in the various phases of the selection procedure (assessment of the application forms, interview and written test) prior to being granted access to the names of the applicants.

The selection is based on a comparative assessment of eligible candidates against all the selection criteria. Even candidates who do not excel in every single criterion may still be successful in the overall assessment and are therefore encouraged to apply.

When completing the online application, please clearly highlight your relevant skills and experiences that demonstrate how your profile aligns with the requirements below.

Professional experience and expertise

1. Experience in SST landscape at the European level or in similar international space initiatives or experience in space governmental/dual (civil/military) systems;
2. Experience in leading operational and technical teams;
3. Experience in developing and operating technical services with a strong focus on user needs;
4. Experience in full project management cycle, including procurement, budget and contract management;
5. Excellent command of both written and spoken English;

Required competencies

1. Motivation for the post;
2. Effective communication;
3. Analytical thinking and problem solving;
4. Collaborative leadership and ability to empower others;
5. Strategic thinking and planning.

We warmly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to apply. Your unique perspective and talents are valued and essential to our success.