Chief Operating Officer

Our Mission 

At constellr, we're harnessing the power of space to solve one of Earth’s greatest challenges: climate resilience & security in a changing world. Our thermal satellite constellation delivers the most accurate land surface temperature data on the market, equipping commercial players, governments, defence agencies, and global institutions with the thermal intelligence they need to make strategic decisions– from national security and infrastructure to agriculture and climate resilience. 
 
As a fast-scaling company with offices in Brussels, Freiburg, Munich, Washington and Toulouse, our multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, and strategists is building the future of space-based Earth observation

Location: Munich or Berlin - Hybrid set up with travel required to both offices.
Team & Reporting Line: Executive Leadership Team | Reports to CEO

Your Role

As Chief Operating Officer, you are the internal execution engine and operational backbone of constellr. Acting as the CEO’s primary internal counterpart, you own the day-to-day performance of the company, translating strategy into execution and ensuring the organisation is built to scale — operationally, financially, and structurally.

You will work closely with leaders across engineering, product, finance, people, legal, security, and governance, aligning priorities, resolving trade-offs, and driving outcomes. This role is critical to enabling constellr to scale in a capital-intensive, regulated, and high-stakes environment, while maintaining speed, pragmatism, and accountability.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the operating model, governance, and execution discipline of a company delivering space-based capabilities with real-world climate and security impact.

Key responsibilities

• Own end-to-end company operations, acting as the Internal CEO for all internal execution and delivery

• Translate company strategy into clear priorities, executable plans, and measurable outcomes

• Build and scale robust operating systems: processes, KPIs, cadences (OKRs), and decision frameworks

• Lead financial operations, including budgeting, cash flow management, forecasting, and investor-ready reporting

• Establish and scale governance, risk, and compliance frameworks appropriate for a regulated, deeptech environment

• Drive cross-functional alignment, resolving trade-offs across teams, budgets, and resources

• Lead organisational scaling: evolving structures, leadership layers, and accountability models as the company grows

• Foster a performance-driven culture with high ownership, transparency, and delivery discipline

• Ensure business continuity, operational resilience, and readiness as constellr scales internationally

• Act as a key Board-facing leader, supporting governance, reporting, and executive decision-making

About You

Essential Experience:

• 8+ years in senior operational leadership roles within high-growth, capital-intensive, or deeptech environments (e.g. aerospace, space, hardware, climate tech)

• Proven experience owning company-wide operations, including Finance, People/HR, Legal/Compliance, and internal governance

• Track record of scaling organisations, systems, and teams — not just building them

• Strong financial leadership capability (budgeting, cash flow, forecasting, reporting)

• Experience operating in regulated, complex environments, balancing speed with control

• A structured, execution-first operator with a strong “finisher” mentality

• High ownership and autonomy — able to take full responsibility for outcomes

• Pragmatic, low-ego leader who is easy to work with and trusted across the organisation

• Able to delegate effectively and scale yourself out of the weeds as the organisation matures

• Experience working effectively with distributed, remote teams within a structured organisational environment

• Familiarity with high-security or classified environments

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a defence security clearance, including NATO.

Nice-to-Have:

• Experience in aerospace, space, defence, or government-facing environments

• Exposure to international operations and distributed, multi-cultural teams

• Experience scaling organisations from ~100 to 500+ or 1000+ employees

• Background in business intelligence, data-driven decision systems, or operational analytics

Why Join constellr?

• Be part of an ambitious mission to launch the world’s first commercial thermal infrared constellation

• Play a defining role in scaling a company at the intersection of space, climate, and security

• Flexible work setup with remote and hybrid options

• Competitive compensation, including Virtual Share Option Plan (VSOP) for permanent employees

• Join a team committed to diversity, inclusion, scientific excellence, and real-world impact

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Position Details

• Job Title: Chief Operating Officer
• Company / Organisation: constellr GmbH
• Location: Europe
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Field / Industry: Software Development
• Work Arrangement: On-site or hybrid — Europe

About This Opportunity

This full-time opportunity at constellr GmbH is an excellent opening for experienced professionals in the field of software engineering and technology. The role is structured around an on-site or hybrid environment based in Europe and is designed for candidates who are ready to make a meaningful contribution from the moment they join.

Based in Europe, this role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with a local team in a structured professional environment. Candidates currently based in the area or open to relocation are strongly encouraged to apply.

Whether you are an established practitioner in software engineering and technology or a highly skilled professional looking for your next challenge, this Chief Operating Officer role offers the platform to apply your expertise in a real-world, results-oriented environment. constellr GmbH is looking for a candidate who can hit the ground running and add genuine value to the team.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for candidates who have a solid background in software engineering and technology and a demonstrable track record of delivering high-quality results. You should possess analytical thinking, attention to technical detail, and a methodical approach to problem-solving. Experience working with modern development tools, version control systems, and cloud platforms will be an advantage, though a commitment to continuous learning and professional development is equally valued.

Beyond technical or domain expertise, constellr GmbH is looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates effectively with colleagues and stakeholders, and takes ownership of their work from start to finish. If you thrive in a professional environment and are passionate about the opportunity to build reliable, scalable, and high-performing digital products, we encourage you to apply.

Key Competencies for This Role

Successful candidates for the Chief Operating Officer position at constellr GmbH will typically demonstrate the following core competencies:

• Domain expertise — a strong foundation of knowledge and hands-on experience in software engineering and technology
• Problem-solving ability — the capacity to identify challenges, think critically, and implement practical solutions efficiently
• Communication skills — clear and professional communication with colleagues, stakeholders, and partners at all levels
• Self-management — strong time management and the ability to prioritise a varied workload while meeting deadlines
• Team collaboration — a collaborative and supportive approach to working alongside colleagues across departments or locations
• Adaptability — the ability to respond positively to change and thrive in a dynamic, evolving work environment

How to Apply

To apply for this Chief Operating Officer position at constellr GmbH, click the "Apply Now" button on this page. You will be taken directly to the official application page where you can complete and submit your application.

Before applying, please ensure that your CV or résumé is fully up to date and clearly highlights your experience and accomplishments in software engineering and technology. If a cover letter is included or requested, tailor it specifically to this role and explain how your background, skills, and goals align with what constellr GmbH is looking for in a Chief Operating Officer.

All applications for this role are processed directly by constellr GmbH. Career Nest facilitates the job discovery process and does not pre-screen or forward applications on behalf of employers. There are no fees for job seekers at any stage of the application process.

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