Career Guides
5 Essential Tips for Landing a Job in the European Space Industry in 2025
The European space sector is hiring aggressively, but getting your foot in the door requires a strategic approach. Here are five actionable tips to help you stand out and land your dream role.
By The Find a Space Job Team
The European space industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. From innovative NewSpace startups to established giants like the European Space Agency (ESA), companies are searching for talent to build the future. But in such a competitive and specialized field, how do you make your application stand out?
It's not just about having the right qualifications; it's about navigating the ecosystem effectively. Here are five essential tips to help you launch your career.
1. Your CV is a Project Showcase, Not a Task List
Hiring managers in the space industry, especially at fast-moving startups, care about what you've built and solved. Instead of listing tasks, frame your experience around projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to describe your contributions.
Bad: "Responsible for thermal analysis." Good: "Led the thermal analysis for the CubeSat XYZ project (Situation/Task), using Python and Ansys to model heat dissipation during orbital cycles (Action). My analysis led to a design change that improved thermal efficiency by 15% (Result)."
This shows impact, not just responsibility.
2. Understand the Ecosystem: NewSpace vs. Agency
Not all space companies are the same. Tailor your application to the type of organization you're targeting.
- NewSpace Startups: They value versatility, speed, and a problem-solving mindset. Highlight your ability to learn quickly, work in small teams, and take ownership of projects from start to finish.
- Established Agencies (e.g., ESA, DLR, CNES): They value structure, process, and deep technical expertise in a specific domain. Highlight your experience with formal project management, rigorous documentation, and your specific technical publications or research.
3. Network with Purpose, Not Volume
Simply adding connections on LinkedIn is not a strategy. True networking is about engaging with the community.
- Attend Key Events: Industry events like the Space Tech Expo Europe are invaluable for meeting people.
- Engage Online: Participate in discussions on specialized subreddits or LinkedIn groups. Don't just ask for a job; ask intelligent questions about a company's technology or mission.
- Follow the Research: Keep up with publications from universities and research institutions. This is where the next wave of innovation (and jobs) will come from.
4. Master In-Demand, Cross-Disciplinary Skills
While a deep specialization is crucial, the most valuable candidates can bridge disciplines. The demand for professionals with skills in the following areas is immense:
- GNC (Guidance, Navigation, and Control) Engineering
- Embedded Software & FPGA Development
- RF (Radio Frequency) Engineering
- Data Science for Earth Observation
Showing expertise in one of these areas, combined with a solid foundation in aerospace principles, makes you a top-tier candidate.
5. Use a Specialised Platform
Generic job boards are a black hole for specialized CVs. Your application for a "Systems Engineer" role is competing with thousands of applicants from the IT and manufacturing industries.
Using a niche platform built specifically for the space industry ensures your application is seen by relevant hiring managers who understand your unique skills. It cuts through the noise and puts you directly in front of the right people.
Ready to find your mission?
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