Fixed Positions at the Spanish Space Agency 2026: Requirements and Selection Process

Key data

The Spanish Space Agency is calling for permanent public employment positions for specialised profiles in the technological and scientific space sector. The distinctive feature of this call is the non-collective agreement regime: employment conditions are not subject to any sectoral collective agreement, but are negotiated individually with each selected worker. This model is common for attracting highly specialised talent in public bodies that compete with the private sector.

The resolution, signed on 26 March 2026 and published in the BOE on 2 April 2026, marks the official start of the selection process and the application submission period.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution calls a selection process for the provision of permanent staff positions at the Spanish Space Agency. The key elements it establishes are as follows:

The non-collective agreement regime is a relevant differentiating aspect. It means that the selected worker is not classified under any collective agreement category, which allows the Agency to offer salary and working conditions tailored to the specific profile, generally above collective agreement terms in order to attract specialised talent.

Economic and operational impact

For candidates, the non-collective agreement regime has direct implications for the conditions they can expect:

• Individually negotiated remuneration: There is no fixed collective agreement salary scale. The financial offer is agreed on a case-by-case basis, which may result in conditions above those of the conventional public market for highly specialised profiles.
• Personalised employment conditions: Working hours, benefits and other conditions may differ from public sector standards, adapting to the profile and individual negotiation.
• Employment stability: As these are permanent staff positions, the employment relationship is indefinite, with the guarantees inherent to state public employment.
• Competition with the private sector: The Spanish Space Agency competes directly with private technology and aerospace companies for the same profiles, hence the use of the non-collective agreement regime.

For the Agency, this call means consolidating permanent staff in critical areas of its scientific and technological activity, reducing dependence on temporary or external contracts.

Who is affected?

This call directly affects the following profiles:

• Professionals with university qualifications in technological, scientific or engineering fields related to space activity
• Candidates with proven experience in space technology, aeronautics, telecommunications or related disciplines
• Individuals who meet the specific qualification, experience and competency requirements detailed in the call specifications
• Citizens who meet the general requirements for access to public employment in the state public sector

Indirectly, it also affects:

• Aerospace and technology sector companies that may see the Agency attracting profiles they also seek in the private market
• Universities and research centres whose graduates or researchers may apply for these positions

Practical example

An aerospace engineer with five years of experience in Earth observation projects at a private company decides to submit their application for this call. As these are non-collective agreement positions, during the selection process — if they pass the theoretical tests, practical tests and merit assessment — they will negotiate directly with the Spanish Space Agency their salary and employment conditions, without being limited by the scales of any public sector collective agreement.

This means that their final remuneration can be adjusted to their specific profile and to the offer the Agency is willing to make to fill that particular position, unlike what would happen in a civil servant or collective agreement-bound staff call, where remuneration is predetermined by group and level.

What should candidates do now?

1. Consult the full specifications in the BOE: Access the resolution BOE-A-2026-7472 to find out the exact number of positions, qualification and experience requirements, and the specific conditions of each position advertised.
2. Verify compliance with requirements: Check that you meet the qualification, experience and competency requirements set out in the specifications before starting your application. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement results in exclusion from the process.
3. Prepare supporting documentation: Gather academic qualifications, professional experience certificates and any other merit that can be assessed according to the specifications, as the merit assessment phase forms part of the selection process.
4. Submit the application within the deadline: The period begins with publication in the BOE on 2 April 2026. Consult the specifications for the deadline and submission channel (the body's electronic office).
5. Prepare for theoretical and practical tests: The process includes theoretical and practical tests in addition to merit assessment. Identify the syllabus and competencies assessed in the specifications to guide your preparation.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-7472