Project Manager Space Instrumentation

Job description

Your (space) mission As Project Manager at cosine, you turn ambitious space instrumentation programs into successful reality. Working within our Remote Sensing business, you lead multidisciplinary development projects that bring advanced space borne optical instruments from concept to launch. These instruments play a key role in planetary science, environmental protection, security and defence, empowering scientists and organisations worldwide to deepen their understanding of Earth and the universe beyond. You create structure in a highly innovative environment, balancing technical excellence with planning, budget, quality, and stakeholder expectations. The projects you manage typically have budgets of up to €20 million and directly contribute to missions with impact far beyond Earth. Tasks & responsibilities In this role, your responsibilities will include: Lead end-to-end execution of space instrument development projects, from project kick-off to final delivery Manage project scope, schedule, budget, resources, and quality throughout the project lifecycle Coordinate multidisciplinary teams consisting of engineers, scientists, systems engineers, and manufacturing specialists Act as the primary point of contact for customers, partners, subcontractors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the Director of Remote Sensing and agreed strategies Monitor project performance and proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks Ensure compliance with customer requirements, contractual obligations, and applicable industry standards Drive decision-making processes and maintain alignment between technical, commercial, and operational objectives Support proposal and business development activities by contributing project management expertise where required Your profile We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications: Several years of experience managing complex technical development projects in the space, aerospace, defence, or other high-tech industries A technical or scientific background, preferably in engineering, physics, aerospace, systems engineering, or a related discipline Demonstrated experience managing projects with demanding requirements regarding performance, planning, cost, and quality Strong understanding of project management methodologies and engineering development lifecycles Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at different organisational levels A structured and proactive approach, combined with the ability to remain calm and decisive in a dynamic environment A strong sense of ownership and accountability for project outcomes Experience working with institutional, governmental, or international customers is considered an advantage Excellent English communication skills; Dutch is a plus What we offer At cosine, we highly value our employees, and we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with: A unique, international working environment at the intersection of physics and engineering The opportunity to deliver end-to-end solutions in autonomous project teams, in close collaboration with customers A competitive salary 27 days of annual leave (based on full-time employment) Hybrid working options, including the possibility to work partially from home Company bicycle and fitness plans A personal development budget Initial one-year contract, with the aim of long-term collaboration About cosine Founded in 1998, cosine is a world-leading developer of space instrumentation and measurement systems, making the invisible measurable and the complex actionable. Its expertise spans High-Energy Optics, including optics developed for ESA's future NewAthena X-ray observatory, as well as remote sensing solutions for Earth Observation and planetary science. With over 25 years of experience and advanced cleanroom and assembly facilities across the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy, cosine brings deep scientific and engineering expertise to some of the most demanding missions in space and on Earth. What makes cosine a unique place to work is that your work goes end-to-end: from concept and design to building, testing, and delivering hardware that actually flies in space. You work in small, highly skilled teams where you have real ownership and impact, alongside experts in optics, physics, nanofabrication, and systems engineering. cosine is committed to providing an inclusive and equal opportunities work environment where everyone can thrive. As a proud member of the Women in Aerospace community, we recognise the importance of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity in the workplace.