Launch & Ground Segment Business Manager Verified today
About Aerospacelab
Aerospacelab designs and manufactures small satellites combined with earth observation services. Founded in 2018, the company has grown to over 25 engineering staff across hardware design, software development and data science. By 2026, Aerospacelab will operate offices in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium), Toulouse (France), Lausanne (Switzerland) and US West Coast, with over 450 full-time employees, positioned as a European leader in small satellites.
Role overview
Lead the sourcing, negotiation, and management of launch services (rideshare and dedicated), while driving business development activities related to ground segment services. You will own relationships with launch service providers and ground segment partners/customers, structure commercial agreements, and position Aerospacelab's offering across both launch access and ground segment service opportunities.
Key responsibilities
Launch Procurement
- Identify and evaluate launch providers and vehicles (rideshare and dedicated) matching mission requirements (orbit, mass, schedule, cost)
- Negotiate and manage launch service agreements, including multi-launch agreements (MLAs) and framework contracts
- Coordinate launcher slot allocation across internal programmes and external customers where applicable
- Track market capacity, pricing trends, and provider performance to inform procurement strategy
- Manage schedule, technical interface, and contractual risk with launch providers throughout the mission lifecycle
Ground Segment Business Development
- Identify and develop new business opportunities for Aerospacelab's ground segment services (ground station access, mission operations, data services)
- Support commercial positioning and proposal development for ground segment offerings
- Engage with prospective customers and partners to shape ground segment service packages aligned with market needs
- Contribute market intelligence on ground segment trends, competitor offerings, and pricing benchmarks
Cross-Functional & Commercial
- Collaborate with Programme Management, Systems Engineering, Legal, and Finance on launch-related and ground segment contract terms
- Support broader proposal and business development activities requiring launch strategy or ground segment service input
- Structure commercial terms that balance launch access and ground segment service opportunities for prospective and existing customers
Must have
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Business, or related field
- 3+ years of experience in launch services procurement, ground segment services, space programme management, or related commercial/technical roles in the space industry
- Strong understanding of launch vehicle types, rideshare vs. dedicated launch economics, and mission integration constraints
- Familiarity with ground segment services (ground stations, mission operations, data delivery) and their commercial models
- Proven contract negotiation experience
- Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills
- Fluent English (French a plus)
Nice to have
- Existing relationships with launch service providers (SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Exolaunch, Arianespace)
- Existing relationships with ground station networks or ground segment service providers
- Experience managing multi-launch or framework agreements
- Familiarity with export control regimes (ITAR/EAR) affecting launch campaigns