Description

Lead Space Segment Engineer for the Aeolus-2 satellite in the meteorological programmes of the Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Aeolus-2 is planned as an operational follow-on to the successful Aeolus Earth Explorer mission, in collaboration with EUMETSAT, for a series of two satellites. The primary payload for Aeolus-2 is a Doppler wind lidar designed to measure atmospheric winds through the measurement of Doppler shifts in the backscatter of emitted laser light from molecules and aerosols in the atmosphere. In addition, a radio occultation instrument is planned to be embarked.

The Aeolus-2 programme was approved at the ESA Council meeting at ministerial level in November 2022. Phase A2/B1 activities have been completed and the preparation for the Phase B2/C/D/E procurement is now actively ongoing. In parallel, various technology pre-development activities are also under way.

Duties

You will report to the Aeolus-2 Engineering and AIT Manager and will support the various ongoing pre-developments and the setup of the Phase B2/C/D/E procurement activities. You will then support the Aeolus-2 mission for the space segment engineering aspects during the programme development phases (B2/C/D/E), with a specific emphasis on the follow-up and coordination of the mechanical, thermal and propulsion aspects, covering both platform and payloads.

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• contributing to the management of the industrial activities by monitoring and steering the specification, design, procurement, development and verification/acceptance of spacecraft, platform and equipment hardware throughout the project lifetime, from ITT to flight commissioning;
• monitoring the industrial progress and design evolution at spacecraft, platform and equipment levels, ensuring it remains consistent with the technical and programmatic requirements;
• assessing and reviewing the proposed space segment architecture and design, including identification of possible options, trade-offs and design/cost drivers;
• critical analysis and maintenance of the satellite engineering budgets and timely investigation of corrective actions where necessary;
• monitoring and coordinating, in particular, all thermo-mechanical aspects, including microvibrations;
• coordinating various project engineering domains to cover the procurement of the hardware under your responsibility, with a particular emphasis on the structural, thermal and propulsion subsystems;
• coordinating the activities relating to the launcher interfaces, such as the thermal and structural interfaces, to secure the compatibility of the satellite with the selected launcher and monitor the industrial preparation for the launch;
• coordinating the support of thermal, mechanical and propulsion experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality allocated to the Aeolus-2 project;
• monitoring and coordinating industrial verification activities to ensure proper verification, including resolving non-conformances; supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers;
• providing regular reporting to project engineering and AIT management and identifying technical risk areas, proposing and monitoring mitigation measures;
• contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
• coordinating with PA and AIT during integration and testing activities for the resolution of activity deviations;
• supporting interactions with delegations and partners as required;
• coordinating with the Aeolus-2 Project Team to ensure the consistency of design, analysis, testing and performances;
• supporting the preparation and implementation of all major Aeolus-2 reviews and reviews at space segment and subsystem level within the technical scope of the position.

In carrying out these tasks, you will coordinate closely with other Aeolus-2 Project Team members with support from the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes and Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

A master’s degree in mechanical engineering, space engineering or a related field is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• a minimum of five years’ experience in satellite design, development, verification/testing, launch and in-orbit validation;
• proven experience of working in a team within a project;
• proven experience of coordinating cross-disciplinary topics with the support of a team;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity, as well as the ability to support others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

Experience in satellite development with optical payloads is an asset.