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# Lead System Engineer for the NEW ATHENA-WFI satellite project - Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik

- **Company:** Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
- **Location:** Garching bei München, Germany
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Contract:** Temporary contract
- **Skills:** Systems Engineering, Systems Analysis, Language Modeling, Software Tools, Subsystems, Systems Integration, Front End Software Development
- **Published:** September 10, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.de/details/5879222583

## About the Role

Essential: A completed scientific university degree (M.Sc. or Dipl.-Ing.) in engineering or an equivalent qualification with in-depth knowledge of scientific instrumentation development. A physics degree with applicable work experience in instrumentation development will also be considered.

Desirable: Given that electronics is the technical core of the instrument, prior design experience in electronics engineering is regarded as a particular asset, though applicants with a strong background in the other primary engineering disciplines are equally encouraged to apply.
A higher degree (Ph.D.) in System Engineering would be an advantage.

Knowledge and Experience: Successful candidate is expected to bring proven systems engineering experience with designing astronomical or other complex systems.

Knowledge of:
Engineering management with a broad knowledge of the technologies involved in the engineering activities being managed.
Principles and methods of systems engineering and requirements analysis.
Technical risk assessment.
Modelling languages, and relevant software tools.
Characterisation methods to evaluate candidate design alternatives.
System integration, tools, test equipment, principles and methods of validation.
Knowledge of ESA design and quality requirements (ECSS standards) is an advantage.
Electronics design principles (analogue/ digital, front-end and detector electronics) are considered particularly relevant, given the central role of electronics in the instrument.

Skills:
Very good communication skills.
Planning, organising resources, motivating people, measuring performance and applying corrections where necessary.
The ability to balance technical, schedule, resource and contractual considerations, and a clear understanding of when a technical decision needs to be escalated - to the Project Manager or, in more significant cases, to the Project Office.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Fluency in written and spoken German will be an advantage but is not essential.

## Description

Act as the technical authority for the whole WFI instrument, establishing, maintaining and controlling the instrument-level technical baseline throughout the project lifecycle.
Be responsible for the project's technical configuration management.
Work in close and continuous collaboration with the Project Manager, Project Scientist and the engineering team.
Requirements engineering.
Definition and control of technical interfaces (external: WFI-to-spacecraft; internal: between WFI sub-systems), ensuring consistency across all responsible sub-system teams.
Application of end-to-end systems analysis and modelling and the subsequent allocation and management of technical budgets/ tolerances.
Definition of the verification requirements and success criteria that integration and test plans must satisfy, in coordination with the MAIT Manager.
Support of system integration, verification and testing, acting as the primary technical interface towards ESA and consortium partners.
Technical Management and Risk Assessment.
Prepare technical documentation for milestones and reviews, assist the Project Manager with schedule development and resource planning, and monitor engineering progress against the project schedule, coordinating the technical actions needed to support timely achievement of engineering milestones.