Vacancy in the Directorate of EO Programmes.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified A2–A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
The ROSE-L mission, implemented under the Copernicus Programme, is part of the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions. ROSE-L is in the C/D/E1 phase following a successful System PDR held in November 2022.
Working in the Copernicus ROSE-L Project Division, Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorateof Earth Observation Programmes and reporting to the ROSE-L Project Manager, the System, Operations and performance Manager will be responsible for the overall Space Segment requirements related to the mission, analysis and implementation of the ROSE-L system, as well as for the preparation for its operations during all phases up to and including in-orbit commissioning and support to the routine operational elements.
The holder of this post will report to the ROSE-L Project Manager for all technical, programmatic matters.
Duties
Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:
- follow-up of the ROSE-L system requirements implementation and monitoring of the associated space-ground system architecture implementation, including internal and external interfaces;
- consolidation of the ROSE-L system definition, including space segment interfaces architecture, Level 1 data processing, simplified Level 2, flight operations segment for commissioning and the end-to-end simulator, as well as the associated mission analysis, ensuring compliance with system and space segment system requirements (SRD and SSRD), operations interface requirements (OIRD) and space debris mitigation requirements;
- monitoring all system reviews and supporting ROSE-L project reviews accordingly;
- monitoring of the timely implementation completion of the ROSE-L space-to-ground interfaces covering both TT&C and instrument data downlink activities and liaising with ESOC and ESRIN on the mission- specific services (flight operation segment and ground segment);
- monitoring the system-related industrial work (end-to-end simulator and operations) to ensure that the performance of all satellite functional chains is suitable for the mission;
- coordination of the definition and implementation of the mission operations concept, taking into account the deployment of a multi-satellite constellation mission;
- establishing a coherent satellite system validation test (SSVT) programme for the purpose of combined satellite/ground segment operations verification and coordinating its implementation;
- monitoring of the development and verification of the end-to-end system simulator and of the Level 1 and simplified Level 2 data prototype processors’ implementation in close cooperation with the ROSE-L Project Payload Section;
- establishing, in cooperation with the FOS Team, the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) and the preparation of the in-flight satellite commissioning plan;
- organising and leading the commissioning phase involving all relevant parties (ESOC, ESRIN and industry), including support to the satellite handover to the Mission Manager at the end of each successful IOCR;
- supporting the ROSE-L Project Payload Section on the on-ground calibration and validation of on-ground activities;
- supporting the ROSE-L Project Spacecraft and AIV Section to achieve commonality between AIT and operations procedures and databases;
- maintaining effective collaboration within the ROSE-L Project Team and a good relationship with industry counterparts;
- liaising closely with other project sections to ensure a consistent approach to satellite procurement, verification, launch and in-orbit operations preparation;
- regular reporting to the Project Manager on all aspects of the system, operations and performances development, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions where appropriate;
- supporting the general project reporting tasks (monthly, QSR/QIR, Mission Advisory Group) and other Department-level support activities as required.
Technical competencies
Experience in mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations in multi-institutional environment
Experience in satellite in-orbit commissioning and performance verification methodologies
Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews
Experience with definition and review of payload and spacecraft calibration programs
Knowledge and experience of ground segment, simulators and early operations
Knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle
Capability to evaluate performance at mission level
Knowledge of satellite systems and ground segment architecture
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
Education
A master’s degree in in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
Additional experience in the definition and implementation of ground tools supporting satellite commissioning activities is desirable.
In performing your duties, you will lead a team of engineers and will liaise closely with the other project sections and other relevant Copernicus entities.
You will be supported by a team of engineers shared among the Copernicus Space Segment and by specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
You should also have:
- the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting;
- the ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
- strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
- the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
- strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
- a strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
- the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.
- people management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email [email protected].
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.