Space Operations Manager

About Spektrum and Our Mission

Spektrum offers diverse and engaging career prospects globally, continuously seeking talented individuals to join our team. We provide specialized services to apex purchasers such as NATO, UN, EU, and national defense agencies, including expert aerospace and defense sales, delivery, and operational support.

Client and Program Overview

We support the NATO Communication and Information Agency (NCIA), which delivers secure communication and IT services to NATO members and partners. The NCIA’s responsibilities include Cyber Security, Command and Control Systems, Satellite Communications, Electronic Warfare, and Information Management, playing a vital role in safeguarding NATO’s IT capabilities.

Role Summary: Assistance and Advisory Service (AAS)

The NCIA is the NATO C3 capability provider and CIS service manager, ensuring a robust IT infrastructure supporting consultation and collective defense efforts. The workforce incorporates International Civilians, Military personnel, and Interim Workforce Consultants (approximately 15% of the team).

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the ACT Space Branch PMT in delivering and coordinating the NATO Space Capability Programme (CPP) across all phases.
• Support Space Theatre Component (STC) by integrating NATO Space capabilities into operational planning and execution.
• Facilitate coordination of operational requirements and feedback among STC, SHAPE, ACT, NCIA, NSPA, and national space bodies.
• Help develop and update program documents like proposals, implementation plans, reviews, risk registers, dashboards, and roadmaps.
• Support operational validation and integration of CPP capabilities within NATO command and control structures.
• Coordinate synchronization of Operational Space Support, Space Domain Awareness, and Space Domain Coordination capabilities and dependencies.
• Assist in crafting operational procedures, playbooks, and coordination frameworks for space-enabled missions.
• Support training initiatives, exercises, and experimentation involving space capabilities.
• Participate in governance activities, PMT meetings, and senior leader briefings.
• Help identify and prioritize operational capability gaps and requirements.
• Contribute to assessments of operational impacts and lessons learned concerning space capabilities employment.
• Support risk analysis, mitigation of program risks, interdependencies, and critical paths across projects.
• Participate in NATO exercises, wargaming, operational demonstrations, including Arctic Sentry and Cosmic Sentinel.
• Engage in acceptance, readiness assessments, and transition planning.
• Collaborate with industry and commercial space entities aligned with NATO’s Commercial Space Strategy.
• Prepare leadership briefings, analysis, and recommendations for STC and PMT efforts.
• Travel up to 30 days annually for meetings and conferences within and beyond NATO boundaries.
• Carry out additional tasks as directed by the COTR in HQ SACT in coordination with STC leadership.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• At least 5 years in NATO capability development, program management, or defense acquisition.
• Minimum 3 years operational experience in NATO or national space operations.
• Proven experience integrating space operations within NATO or national command structures.
• Strong knowledge of NATO Space policy, CPP governance, and PMT processes.
• Minimum 3 years operational knowledge of command and control systems within the last 10 years.
• Experience supporting multinational programs and senior governance bodies.
• Project and program management experience in complex, dynamic environments over the past decade.
• Familiarity with Configuration Management techniques and Capability Architectures.
• Experience using IBM Rational DOORS or similar tools (certifications required).

Education and Language Skills

• University degree in systems engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related fields; alternatively, five years relevant experience may substitute.
• Advanced English language proficiency required.

Work Location, Contract, and Security

• Position based in Ramstein, Germany.
• On-site working requirement.
• Contract duration from September 2026 through December 2030.
• National or NATO Secret level security clearance mandatory.

Additional Information

You are encouraged to submit your resume even if this opportunity doesn't meet your current interests, as new roles aligned with your skills may open in the future.