Space Operations Manager
Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise to key client projects.
About the role
Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO’s leading agent for change, driving, facilitating, and advocating continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities. ACT supports NATO missions and operations, leads military transformation, and enhances cooperation with partners, nations, and international organisations. It leads concept development, capability development, training, and lessons-learned initiatives.
The Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS) programme under DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) guides and coordinates activities within the Capability Development Directorate. The Requirements Division manages requirements for NATO capabilities, while the Capability Division coordinates capability development from planning through disposal.
Responsibilities
- Support the ACT Space Branch PMT in delivering, synchronising, and implementing the NATO Space Capability Programme (CPP) across all tranches and associated projects.
- Support Space Theatre Component (STC) in integrating NATO Space capabilities into operational planning and execution.
- Coordinate operational requirements and user feedback between STC, SHAPE, ACT, NCIA, NSPA, and national space organisations.
- Support the development, refinement, and implementation of programme artefacts, including project proposals, implementation plans, programme reviews, risk registers, dashboards, and capability roadmaps.
- Support operational validation of CPP capabilities and their integration into NATO command-and-control structures.
- Synchronise Operational Space Support (OSS), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), and Space Domain Coordination (SDC) capabilities and dependencies.
- Assist in developing operational procedures, playbooks, and coordination mechanisms for space-enabled operations.
- Support training, exercises, and experimentation activities involving space capabilities.
- Contribute to programme governance, PMT meetings, Bi-SC coordination, and senior leader engagements.
- Assist with identifying and prioritising operational capability gaps and requirements.
- Contribute to assessing operational impacts and lessons learned related to space capabilities.
- Support identification, analysis, and mitigation of programme risks, interdependencies, and critical paths across space projects.
- Support NATO exercises, operational experimentation, evaluations, and lessons-lened activities involving Space capabilities.
- Support experimentation, wargaming, operational demonstrations, and exercises (e.g., Arctic Sentry, Cosmic Sentinel).
- Contribute to operational acceptance, readiness assessments, and transition planning.
- Support engagement with industry and commercial space actors for NATO Commercial Space Strategy implementation.
- Prepare briefings, analyses, and recommendations for STC leadership and PMT efforts.
- Travel to meetings and conferences within and outside NATO boundaries for up to 30 days per year.
- Perform additional tasks as required by the COTR in close coordination with STC leadership.
Requirements
- Minimum 5 years’ experience within NATO capability development, programme management, or defence acquisition.
- Minimum 3 years of operational experience within NATO or national space operations.
- Demonstrated experience in space operations integration within NATO or national commands.
- Demonstrated knowledge of NATO Space policy, CPP governance, and PMT processes.
- Minimum 3 years operational knowledge of C2 systems within the last 10 years (military officer or civilian).
- Experience supporting multinational programmes and senior-level governance bodies.
- Programme and Project Management experience in the past 10 years within a complex and dynamic environment.
- Working knowledge of Configuration Management methods and practices.
- Working knowledge of Capability Architectures.
- Experience with IBM Rational DOORS or equivalent (certificates required).
Qualifications
- University degree in systems engineering, computer science, aerospace engineering, or related discipline (five years of experience accepted in lieu).
- Advanced proficiency in English.
Schedule
- On-site, full-time.
- Contract duration: January 2027 – December 2030.
Location
Ramstein, Germany.
Security Clearance
Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance required.