Mission & responsibilities
You will build the technical foundation of our microwave effector capability from scratch, from first concepts towards an on-orbit payload.
Technical leadership
- Build the technical foundation for our microwave effector systems as the founding hire of the function
- Own delivery of microwave effector-system commitments
- Own the strategic direction of the function, including the vision for future products, technologies and projects
- Work closely with our Propulsion team on shared microwave sources
Technical direction
- Set the technical architecture and roadmap for microwave effector and payload systems
- Represent the function in company-level technical reviews
- Contribute to proposals that fund our activities
Hiring & team building
- Define hiring profiles and grow the team
- Establish engineering processes and documentation standards
- Be accountable for personnel safety and security in the function
What we are looking for
Must have
- 5-10 years of technical leadership in RF/microwave, effector, and/or payload systems, including small-team leadership
- Background in defence- and space-related technical and engineering work
- Comfortable building a technical roadmap from zero and contributing to building a team
- Able to run a close, dotted-line technical relationship with adjacent departments and share common technology bricks
Nice to have
- Hands-on experience with high-power microwave sources (e.g. magnetron-based systems)
- Experience writing or contributing to ESA, BAAINBw or comparable funding proposals
- Experience developing or qualifying on-orbit payloads
Willingness and eligibility to undergo a security clearance check (Sicherheitsüberprüfung, SÜG) may be required for this role, depending on project assignment.
Responsibility
A challenging position in the space industry with high responsibilities
Permanent contract
A permanent contract and 30 days of vacation
Flexibility
Flexible hours
Benefits
Employee benefits, such as fitness programmes, mobility allowance, and shopping vouchers
Share options
Access to the company's virtual share options programme
Starflight Dynamics (SFDY) is a Munich-based SpaceTech company building the foundational technologies for Europe's next generation of orbital infrastructure. Founded in 2023, we develop dual-use systems for space and defence: a green, water-based orbital propulsion stack and modular platforms for in-orbit operations.
Working with partners such as the University of the German Armed Forces in Munich and the BAAINBw, we're a small, ambitious team moving fast from prototype to orbit. Join us and help shape how Europe operates, and defends its interests, in space.
Research shows that people from underrepresented groups are statistically less likely to apply for a role unless they meet every single requirement listed. If that's you — but you're genuinely excited about building the foundations of Europe's orbital infrastructure — we'd strongly encourage you to apply anyway. We care more about drive and capability than a perfect match on paper.
We believe diversity of background and perspective drives better engineering and better decisions, and we welcome applications regardless of gender, age, nationality, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference where equally qualified.
Information on how we process your application data can be found in our privacy notice.