Infrastructure Operations Engineer

📋 Job Overview

Thorn SDS is a specialist Managed Service Provider dedicated to helping technology-driven organisations and professionals succeed in some of the world’s most demanding environments—Space, UK Defence, and Security. We operate at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, mission-critical operations, and trusted partnerships. Whilst our Head Office is based in the UK, this role sits within our German entity, located in the Darmstadt area, at the heart of Europe’s space operations community. You will be part of an international organisation that values technical excellence, collaboration, and long-term relationships—working on programmes that shape the future of space and security.

🏢 About Thorn SDS

Thorn SDS is a specialist Managed Service Provider dedicated to helping technology-driven organisations and professionals succeed in some of the world’s most demanding environments—Space, UK Defence, and Security. We operate at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, mission-critical operations, and trusted partnerships.

🎯 The Role

The Infrastructure Operations Engineer (Systems) supports the operation, planning and coordination of multi-mission infrastructure services, ensuring the availability and readiness of communications, compute, storage and supporting systems. Working within the Infrastructure Operations (InfOps) team, the role acts as a key interface between operations and engineering teams, supporting operational activities, infrastructure changes and service improvements.

✅ Key Responsibilities

• Monitor communications systems and multi-mission infrastructure, presenting status updates at daily Operations Morning Briefings.
• Maintain long-term plans and short-term schedules, presenting activities at weekly Planning and Scheduling meetings.
• For infrastructure-related activities execution, coordinate between operations and multiple engineering teams, including communications, compute, storage and facilities.
• Create, investigate and/or coordinate the resolution of operational anomalies, minimising service interruptions.
• Act as Test Coordinator and/or Test Conductor for infrastructure changes, including planning, coordinating and executing test campaigns.
• Prepare and present test plans, procedures and results at Test Readiness Reviews (TRR), Test Review Boards (TRB) and Operational Readiness Reviews (ORR).
• Maintain, update and harmonise operational procedures, plans and technical documentation.
• Support operational readiness, service continuity and continuous improvement initiatives.

📌 Required Qualifications

• Experience in system or infrastructure operations within satellite missions, ground segments or other operational space environments.
• Proven experience investigating operational anomalies and implementing effective solutions.
• Experience with verification and validation (V&V) activities and formal review processes (TRR/TRB/ORR).
• Strong planning, coordination and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage activities across multiple teams and programmes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to technical review boards and operational meetings.
• Ability to produce clear and accurate technical documentation in English.

⭐ Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite missions and/or associated ground segment infrastructure.
• Understanding of multi-mission operational environments.
• Strong networking fundamentals, with CCNA-level knowledge or equivalent considered advantageous.
• Familiarity with Linux operating systems and virtualised environments such as VMware.
• Experience working with communications systems, compute infrastructure, storage systems and operational networks.
• Knowledge of operational monitoring, scheduling and workflow management tools.

🎁 Benefits

• 20 Statutory Vacation Days, + 10 Additional Vacation Days.
• German Public Holiday Days + Organisation Specific Holidays
• Subsidised Deutsche Bahn Ticket
• Subsidy to Welfare Activities
• Subsidy to Organisation Social Clubs
• Local Thorn Office with Co-working Spaces, Gym, Leisure Activities and Canteen
• Individual Educational Programme Support
• Access to a wide range of Training Material and Programmes
• Flexible and Hybrid Working Options

🛂 Visa & Eligibility

All applicants must already hold the Right to Work in Germany as sponsorship cannot be provided for this role. The working language for this mission is English, and all applications / CVs must be submitted in English.