DLR has 30 locations in Germany: Cologne (headquarters), Aachen, Aachen-Merzbrück, Augsburg, Berlin, Bonn, Braunschweig, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Cochstedt, Cottbus, Dresden, Geesthacht, Göttingen, Hamburg, Hanover, Jena, Jülich, Lampoldshausen, Neustrelitz, Oberpfaffenhofen, Oldenburg, Rheinbach, Stade, St. Augustin, Stuttgart, Trauen, Ulm, Weilheim and Zittau. DLR also has offices in Brussels, Paris, Tokyo and Washington D.C.
In the fiscal year 2020, DLR's budget for research and operations was 1261 million euro, 44 percent of which was third-party funding acquired through competitive tendering. The space budget managed by DLR amounted to 1552 million euro (excluding EUMETSAT). Of this, the German contribution to financing the European Space Agency (ESA) was 945 million euros. Consequently, the ESA share accounted for 61 percent of the total space budget.
Around 305 million euros were allocated to the National Space Programme, which accounts for a share of 20 percent. For the research and technology sector, the total amount was around 301 million euros. The research space sector thus accounted for 19 percent of the total space budget. The DLR Projektträger funding was 2240 million euros and the Project Management Agency for Aeronautics Research and Technology had a budget of 202 million euros.
DLR's values
DLR's identity is that of a research institution focused on scientific excellence. It also acts as a capable administrative organisation that strengthens Germany as a location for knowledge and innovation. DLR’s activities focus on its role within society and its responsibility towards clients, business partners, affiliates and employees, as well as on sustainable action. It is within this context that DLR contributes to solving societal issues.
The following principles apply to all DLR activities:
The ethics of scientific work
Sustainable action and implementation of the human rights strategy (pursuant to § 6 of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act)
The improvement of occupational and industrial safety and the protection of health
The preservation and protection of the environment
These basic principles are laid down in a binding code of conduct. DLR encourages all clients, contractors, suppliers and other business partners to act in accordance with these principles beyond the scope of its own activities.
Working at DLR
DLR’s performance is based on its well trained and highly motivated employees, who are able to continue their training while at DLR. Equal opportunities are a top priority. Flexible working hours, part-time employment and special support measures ensure that work and family life can be satisfactorily combined. Equal opportunities and diversity are a top priority. Flexible working hours, part-time employment and special support measures ensure that work and family life can be easily combined. Current vacancies can be found on the DLR career portal.