Senior Project Manager For Space Missions - Studentjob.ch

Über den Job

ETH Zurich | Space is dedicated to advancing space activities both within ETH and in collaboration with external stakeholders. Our mission is to position ETH Zurich as Europe’s leading institution in space research and education, while also being recognized as a premier partner for space‑related projects within Switzerland and globally. Founded in 2022, ETH Zurich | Space is led by Prof.

Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen and is committed to driving technological advancements, shaping future policies, and inspiring the next generation of space scientists and engineers.

ETH Zürich

We aim to establish and develop a centralized pool of space specialists to reinforce ETH Zurich‑led space projects and strengthen our position in the national and international space ecosystem. A significant portion of the role supports the Lunar Leaper mission concept—a technology pathfinder for advanced planetary systems, autonomy, and system integration on the lunar surface.

As an integral part of the resource pool, you will manage multiple space research projects at ETH Zurich, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including space agencies. Your responsibilities include ensuring projects stay on time, within scope and budget, and are consistent with ETH rules and policies.

• Plan and manage complex space projects, including timelines, milestones, reviews, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Actively manage project risks and issues.
• Coordinate closely with systems engineers and technical leads to align technical progress, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies for potential problems in collaboration with experts and space projects.
• Coordinate with stakeholders such as faculty members, industry partners, the Swiss Space Office, and space agencies such as ESA, JAXA, and NASA.
• Negotiate and manage contracts with customers and suppliers in collaboration with ETH’s Research Contracts Group.
• Support preparation and submission of project proposals, grant applications, and bids.
• Manage reporting, documentation, and administrative tasks, including preparing documentation packages for official reviews.
• Organize and prepare internal and external meetings.

You have a history of successfully managing complex projects, ideally in the space sector. You excel in organizational and interpersonal skills and possess excellent knowledge of the Swiss and European space ecosystem, including suppliers, OEMs, and industry partners.

• Master’s degree in engineering or natural science.
• 5+ years of experience managing complex projects.
• Proven experience in space‐related projects.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, such as creating project plans and schedules.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
• Proven ability to deliver solutions under pressure and tight timescales.
• Knowledge of supply chain management.

• Experience with planetary or lunar rover and/or landed spacecraft.
• Experience collaborating with academic institutions on a space project.
• Extensive knowledge of the Swiss and European space ecosystem, including Tier 1–4 suppliers.
• Proficiency in business aspects of space projects (documentation, supplier relations, workflow design, product assurance, task prioritization).
• Familiarity with product assurance, quality, configuration, and risk management processes, and international space standards such as ECSS.

• A dynamic, international, and interdisciplinary work environment at one of the world’s leading technical universities.
• A motivated team sharing a passion for space and innovation.
• The opportunity to contribute to space missions from early concept to flight.

Please submit your application through our online portal by Sunday, 29 March 2026. Include the following:

• CV
• Job references (if available) and diplomas.
• A short (max. 90 seconds) video introducing yourself and explaining your motivation for this position. Upload the video to a platform of your choice (e.g., Dropbox, You Tube, Vimeo,…