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Isar Aerospace, a fast-growing New Space company building sustainable launch solutions for small and medium-sized satellites, seeks a VP Ground Systems to lead the company's global launch and test infrastructure strategy and execution.
In this VP-level role, you will own Isar Aerospace's ground infrastructure strategy and roadmap, identifying and securing new launch sites, test facilities, and infrastructure opportunities worldwide. You will lead a multidisciplinary organization responsible for designing, developing, and delivering launch pads, launch complexes, stage test facilities, engine test stands, and ground support equipment. Your responsibilities include:
• Defining and executing the company's ground infrastructure strategy while identifying and securing new launch and test capabilities globally.
• Building and maintaining executive-level relationships with governments, regulators, spaceports, industrial partners, and strategic stakeholders.
• Leading negotiations and closing commercial agreements, partnerships, leases, and long-term site access arrangements.
• Developing business cases and securing executive and board approval for major infrastructure investments.
• Translating company objectives and launch vehicle roadmaps into cohesive infrastructure development strategies.
• Leading, coaching, and developing managers and engineers across the Ground Systems organization, fostering accountability, technical excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Overseeing the development of launch pads, engine test stands, stage test facilities, propellant infrastructure, and associated ground support equipment.
• Driving infrastructure programs from opportunity identification through site selection, permitting, design, construction, commissioning, and handover to operating teams.
• Ensuring projects are delivered safely, compliantly, on schedule, and within budget.
• Ensuring all ground systems meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, scalability, and operational flexibility.
• Acting as a key member of the senior leadership team contributing to overall company strategy and growth.
The company offers an employee participation program (virtual share program), 30 days vacation, company pension plan with 20% employer contribution post-probation, subsidized lunch, fully financed public transport ticket (Deutschlandticket), rental workwear with laundry service, sports club membership (EGYM Wellpass), individual learning allowance post-probation, and childcare allowance.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Master's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, Electrical Engineering, or comparable technical discipline.
• 10+ years of leadership experience in aerospace, defense, energy, industrial infrastructure, process facilities, or comparable complex engineering environments.
• Proven track record of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects from concept through commissioning.
• Demonstrated success in identifying, developing, negotiating, and closing strategic infrastructure opportunities and partnerships.
• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering and project delivery organizations.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure development, permitting, construction, commissioning, and facility development processes.
• Experience managing large capital investment programs and associated financial planning.
• Proven ability to build, scale, and lead high-performing organizations.
• Strong commercial acumen and contract negotiation experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Strong systems-thinking capability with ability to balance technical, operational, commercial, and strategic considerations.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with bias for action and willingness to create opportunities.
• Fluent in English (C1 level).
BONUS SKILLS:
• Experience developing launch infrastructure, test infrastructure, or spaceport facilities.
• Experience negotiating with government entities, regulators, or public infrastructure stakeholders.
• Existing network within global aerospace, defense, energy, spaceport, or infrastructure sectors.
• Experience establishing international partnerships and strategic infrastructure investments.
• Experience in cryogenic systems, propulsion testing, industrial process facilities, or safety-critical infrastructure.
• Experience building and operating engineering organizations through periods of rapid growth.
