The What: You are the technical anchor for Blackwave's core IT systems. This is a high-impact, hands-on engineering role — you aren't just managing vendors; you are actively architecting, implementing, and securing our multi-site infrastructure.
The Why: To end COPV failure in spaceflight.
At Blackwave, we develop advanced pressure vessel technology that sets new benchmarks in performance, reliability, and cost efficiency for spaceflight.To achieve this mission, our teams rely on stable, secure, and high-performing digital infrastructure. Engineering, manufacturing, and operations must be able to move fast without being slowed down by unreliable systems.
As we scale our operations across multiple sites in Germany and expand into the United States, our infrastructure must transition from a localized setup to a resilient, enterprise-grade global architecture. As Senior IT Systems & Operations Engineer, you will design, secure, and build the digital backbone that enables our growth.
HIGH PERFORMANCE — Relentless execution. Precision at speed.
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Act as the subject matter expert for our Microsoft 365 ecosystem, ensuring deep integration, optimal performance, and strict security controls
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Own and advance our modern endpoint management, utilizing Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopilot to achieve zero-touch deployment across all global sites
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Maintain and scale robust local networks (switching, routing, firewalls) to support high-speed data needs in engineering and manufacturing
TOGETHERNESS — One team. Fierce trust. Disagree – then commit.
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Support employees across engineering, manufacturing, and operations, translating their technical requirements into scalable IT solutions
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Architect the secure networking and identity infrastructure required to seamlessly connect our European facilities with our upcoming US expansion, ensuring strict isolation of sensitive aerospace data
CANDOR — We say the hard thing because we care. Truth drives growth.
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Proactively identify architectural bottlenecks, security gaps, and legacy inefficiencies
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Design and execute modern migration paths away from legacy setups toward automated, cloud-first infrastructure
PLAYFULNESS — Play with purpose. Break things. Learn fast.
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Introduce modern automation practices (Infrastructure as Code, scripting, automated provisioning) to eliminate manual IT overhead
ACCOUNTABILITY — Own your impact. Lead yourself. Hold the bar.
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Harden our infrastructure against advanced threats, aligning IT operations with NIS2 compliance, German VS-NfD requirements, and US governmental/defense-grade export control standards
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Design and maintain tenant architectures that support strict data sovereignty, cryptographic code-signing, and supply chain security frameworks required by aerospace partners in the EU and US
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Maintain secure identity and access management (IAM), ensuring strict privilege controls across all cloud and on-prem asset
You are a seasoned, technically fierce IT professional who thrives on building secure, scalable environments. You prefer configuring, architecting, and fixing complex systems over sitting in pure management meetings.
Hard Skills & Experience — Must-Haves
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Proven Track Record: 5+ years of hands-on experience in IT Systems Engineering or Infrastructure Operations, ideally within a fast-paced tech, engineering, or manufacturing environment
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M365 & Intune Expert: Deep, proven experience architecting and managing Microsoft 365 tenants, Entra ID, Microsoft Intune, and Autopilot deployment pipelines
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Network & Multi-Site Infrastructure: Solid understanding of advanced networking (VLANs, VPNs, routing, firewalls) and experience managing IT across multiple interconnected physical sites
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Security & Compliance Mindset: Strong foundational knowledge of IT security best practices. Experience with ITAR/EAR, VS-NfD, NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, BSI IT-Grundschutz, or ISO 27001 is highly valued
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Language: Fluent in English (company language); German is a strong asset for local vendor and site management
Soft Skills & Mindset
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The "Bigger Picture" Thinker: Ability to handle immediate technical fire-fighting while designing systems that scale for international growth
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Hands-on Executioner: A strong desire to stay close to the technology and build solutions yourself
Nice to Have
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Experience setting up sovereign cloud environments (e.g. Azure Germany, AWS GovCloud/Sovereign Cloud, or GCC High) with strict data-residency and "US Persons" / "EU-only" access restrictions
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Scripting/Automation skills (PowerShell, Bash, or Python) to automate routine operational tasks
High level of autonomy & real impact: Be part of shaping our high-tech production landscape
Flexible working hours & remote work options based on mutual agreement
Startup mindset meets aerospace innovation: Flat hierarchies, fast decisions, and space for your ideas
Choose your own benefit: Germany ticket, Egym Wellpass, or a tax-free Give Card
Healthy & social lunch culture: Enjoy fresh meals during shared lunch breaks
Stunning views: Wind down on our rooftop terrace with breathtaking views of the Alps
Growth opportunities: Work on exciting projects and learn from inspiring people
We live our team culture: From tech talks to team events and after-work gatherings – we celebrate success together
Blackwave GmbH is a dynamic and leading aerospace company. We specialize in pushing boundaries through the development and production of high-performance, off-the-shelf pressure vessels and complex carbon structures. Our off-the-shelf COPV approach reflects our forward-thinking mindset and our relentless pursuit of innovation. Join us on this journey to the stars in our innovative work setting where team spirit, enthusiasm, and growth opportunities thrive. Send us your CV and apply directly via our website today!
