Launch & Ground Segment Business Manager

About the role

Aerospacelab, a vertically integrated small satellite company combining satellite design and manufacturing with earth observation services, is looking for a Launch & Ground Segment Business Manager. The role leads sourcing, negotiation and management of launch services (rideshare and dedicated) and drives business development for ground segment services. It covers relationships with launch providers and ground segment partners, commercial agreements and the positioning of the company's offering.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and evaluate launch providers and vehicles (rideshare and dedicated) matching mission requirements such as orbit, mass, schedule and cost.
• Negotiate and manage launch service agreements, including multi-launch agreements (MLAs) and framework contracts.
• Coordinate launcher slot allocation across internal programmes and, where applicable, external customers.
• 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.
• Identify and develop new business opportunities for ground segment services such as ground station access, mission operations and data services.
• Support commercial positioning and proposal development, and engage with prospective customers and partners to shape service packages.
• Contribute market intelligence on ground segment trends, competitor offerings and pricing benchmarks.
• Work with Programme Management, Systems Engineering, Legal and Finance on contract terms, and support broader proposals requiring launch or ground segment input.

Required profile

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Business or a 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.
• Proven contract negotiation experience.
• Fluent English (French a plus).

Required skills

• Strong understanding of launch vehicle types, rideshare versus dedicated launch economics and mission integration constraints.
• Familiarity with ground segment services (ground stations, mission operations, data delivery) and their commercial models.
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional coordination skills.
• Nice to have: existing relationships with launch providers (e.g. SpaceX, Rocket Lab, Exolaunch, Arianespace) or ground station networks, experience managing multi-launch or framework agreements, and familiarity with export control regimes (ITAR/EAR).

What we offer

• Permanent contract, based in Belgium and France.
• Salary package consistent with experience.
• Flat hierarchy, fast-paced environment and flexible ways of working.