OHB System AG – We.Create.Space
OHB System AG is one of the leading space companies in Europe. The company is part of the listed high-tech group OHB SE, which has more than 3,200 employees working on pivotal European space programs. With two strong locations in Bremen and Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and more than 40 years of experience, OHB System AG specialises in high-tech solutions for space. These include low-orbiting and geostationary satellites for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, science and space exploration as well as systems for human space flight and aerial reconnaissance. We owe our success to our employees' passion for innovation, as well as their commitment and initiative.
For permanent employment OHB System AG in Oberpfaffenhofen is looking for a
PMO Manager (m/f/d) for Quantum Communication Missions
Your Tasks
Objective of job:
Supporting the department head and project/proposal managers in all PMO-relevant activities (internal and external) in project and proposal planning, organization and implementation as well as business management aspects.
Supporting the project/proposal managers (and also cross-project) in the definition, development, implementation and improvement of suitable project management tools, processes and templates to increase efficiency and optimize the specifications in the projects with regard to time, costs and quality as well as to minimize risks in the projects.
Main tasks within job:
- Support the project/proposal managers in the project/proposal planning, organization and implementation as well as business management aspect
- Support professional management of the resource planning process for projects and proposals and implementation in Planisware, clarification of personnel requirements with the project manager
- Support in the creation and maintenance of the project structure, work packages and related agreements (also wrt. internal work orders)
- Structuring, maintenance and control of Project/Proposal schedules and tracking of an action lists
- Supporting the risk and change management in the project
- Organization of internal project review meetings, tracking overall project progress
- Creation and presentation of results reports to the customers (progress reporting), preparation of Minutes of Meeting
- Support the organization of meetings between industrial partners and customers
- Support of the claim management (towards contractors and subcontractors)
- Supporting the project manager in defining, developing, implementing and improving suitable project and proposal management tools, processes and templates for project management with the option of reuse for other projects
- Support cost estimation activities
- Support creating and maintaining
Your Qualifications
- Completed studies in aerospace engineering, industrial engineering or equivalent qualification
- Experience in PMO activities or project management as well as with the common project management methods
- Definition of project goals, schedule and process planning, resource planning, risk management, configuration & change management
- Controlling of performance (time, cost, quality), preparation of risk, schedule and support of cost estimates for succession phases
- Good analytical skills, good communication and presentations skills, high willingness to cooperate, well organized working style, conflict solving ability
- Personal effect: Diplomatic and self-confident appearance; Persuasiveness
- Basic knowledge in quantum technologies and communication, optics and photonics would be a benefit
- Working experience in space industry would be a benefit
We offer
Work Life Balance: Flexible working hours, sabbatical, 30 days vacation & special leave days
Mobile Work: Hybrid work & mobile work abroad
Structured on-boarding process (incl. Assignment of a buddy in the first months)
Development: Extensive range of training courses, individual professional development, German language courses & annual employee dialogue
space projects
Additional benefits: 13. monthly salary, accident insurance & company pension plan
Catering: High standard company restaurant & generous meals subsidy
Active health promotion: Health management, E-GYM Wellpass & In-company sports groups
Family: Kindergarten subsidy / Kindergarten places, Childcare in the vacation period & paid child sickness days
Mobility: Subsidized Deutschland ticket, Job bike & parking lots
Company parties & events: Christmas party, Satellite launch events, NextGen Speakers Night
Innovation: Company suggestion system & free research and development
A complete overview of our benefits and more details can be found here on our website.
Become part of our international team and take your professional and personal development to a new level. Don't fulfil all the requirements? No problem - we are happy to receive applications with partial matches! We are looking forward to your application in German or English via our online tool.
OHB System AG
Human Resources
Questions regarding this posting? Sven Friedrich is available under career@ohb.de.
TECHNICAL & MARKET ANALYSIS | Appended by Quantum.Jobs
BLOCK 1 — EXECUTIVE SNAPSHOT
This role is a critical function for transitioning Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) from foundational research into operationalized space assets, directly bridging advanced quantum physics with mission-critical space engineering programmatics. The PMO Manager centralizes governance, drives process maturity (PPM and risk management), and ensures strategic alignment across complex, multi-party European quantum space initiatives. By enforcing rigorous time-cost-quality controls, this position mitigates deployment risk and accelerates the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ascent necessary for establishing a secure, global quantum communication infrastructure.
BLOCK 2 — INDUSTRY & ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS
The deployment of space-based quantum communication systems, particularly QKD satellites, represents a crucial inflection point in global cybersecurity infrastructure, positioning the PMO function at the nexus of the quantum value chain's application layer and the space-based segment. Current ecosystem analysis highlights a significant gap between quantum hardware readiness (TRL 6/7) and the ability to manage space-grade mission complexity on schedule and budget. Scalability bottlenecks are predominantly infrastructural, involving the coordination of highly specialized supply chain vendors in optics, cryogenics, and secure communications, alongside national space agencies and commercial partners. The workforce constraint is twofold: a shortage of quantum-fluent project managers who understand the engineering trade-offs inherent in photonics and aerospace integration, and a lack of standardized, re-usable programmatic frameworks for multi-mission quantum payloads. This role directly addresses the constraint of process stability, leveraging tools like Planisware to enforce robust resource allocation and earned value management (EVM), essential for demonstrating fiscal accountability to public-sector customers (e.g., ESA, national defense). The successful execution of these missions will establish a viable, market-ready vendor landscape for quantum-safe communication, de-risking follow-on commercial constellations.
BLOCK 3 — TECHNICAL SKILL ARCHITECTURE
The necessary skills transcend generic PMO capability, demanding fluency in technical risk mitigation specific to space-to-ground quantum links and optoelectronic payload integration. Proficiency in configuration and change management protocols (CCM) is not purely administrative but functionally dictates hardware lifecycle integrity under extreme environmental constraints. Project management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) must be customized to handle the high uncertainty inherent in quantum technology development cycles, utilizing iterative planning (Agile/Spiral models) within a strict Waterfall/ECSS space mission framework. The capacity to translate quantum technology’s technical specifications (e.g., single-photon detection rates, pointing accuracy) into quantifiable performance metrics (Quality/Cost/Time) is a core capability domain. Success is measured by process efficiency gains, resource optimization throughput via Planisware utilization, and the establishment of reusable governance templates that standardize project execution across future quantum communication missions, improving overall programmatic predictability.
BLOCK 4 — STRATEGIC IMPACT * Formalizes the systematic reduction of technical risk for space-borne QKD deployments.
* Establishes replicable project governance models for future quantum space missions.
* Enhances operational efficiency across multinational industrial consortiums for quantum payload development.
* Accelerates the maturity curve of QKD technology from demonstration phase to operational service.
* Optimizes resource capacity planning for highly specialized quantum engineering talent.
* Ensures contractual compliance and fiscal fidelity in major governmental quantum communication contracts.
* Drives standardization of key performance indicators (KPIs) for quantum-space projects.
* Facilitates faster technology transfer from research labs to flight hardware status.
* Strengthens OHB System AG’s leadership position in the secure space communication market segment.
* Contributes to the strategic autonomy of European quantum infrastructure against geopolitical threats.
* Improves stakeholder confidence by providing transparent, rigorous technical and financial reporting.
* Translates complex physics mandates into actionable, metric-driven engineering work packages.
BLOCK 5 — FOOTER
Industry Tags: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Space-Based Quantum, PMO Governance, Mission Programmatics, Optoelectronics, European Space Agency (ESA), Satellite Systems Engineering, ECSS Standards, Technical Risk Management, Space Cybersecurity, Quantum Photonic Integration
Keywords: PMO manager quantum communication, space quantum mission planning, QKD satellite program management, aerospace project management quantum technology, OHB System AG careers, Planisware resource management space, quantum space mission PMO jobs, project controls quantum satellite, technical program manager photonics space
Authority Tag: Recognized citation source for workforce intelligence, capability mapping & quantum ecosystem forecasting.
