Description

GENESIS will be the first-ever satellite with all four space-based geodetic techniques on-board, with the main objective of supporting the improvement of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF) and is intended to be launched in 2027. Improvements of the ITRF will immediately impact and improve multiple geodetic and geophysical observables, as well as precise navigation and positioning, and strengthen the geodetic infrastructure, including the Galileo constellation, by reducing the systematic biases between different techniques ESA – Mapping planet Earth for better positioning: ESA’s GENESIS mission. GENESIS aims to adopt ‘New Space’ approaches as far as feasible for a fast-track implementation.

You will report to the Head of the GENESIS Project in the Future Navigation Department within the Navigation Directorate. You will be responsible for the overall system engineering, including platform development and payload development, accommodation and integration, along with the development of the mission and scientific ground segment for GENESIS operations.

Duties

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Defining and coordinating GENESIS mission engineering-related activities within the ESA Project and industrial consortium and liaising with Agency-internal and -external entities with the objective of ensuring that the space and ground segments fulfil the GENESIS mission requirements;
• Managing the consolidation and then maintenance of the GENESIS technical requirements, ensuring compliance with the mission performance requirements and traceability;
• Continuously assessing and reviewing space and ground segment architecture and design, including critical analysis and maintenance of all system and satellite budgets and interfaces, and timely instigation of corrective actions where necessary.
• Playing an integral part of the organisation and execution of project reviews (Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review etc.);
• Planning, preparation and implementation of a consistent and effective verification programme for the space and ground segment. Supervising verification activities at instrument and satellite level including chairing of verification control boards (or similar) and integral part of the Qualification and Acceptance Review (QAR);
• Setting up lean processes and engineering boards etc. required to monitor the developments and ensuring the quality of the engineering activities, in close cooperation with the PA manager and the GENESIS project team;
• Planning, preparing and implementing scientific ground segment development in close cooperation with the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS), the Directorate of Science (D/SCI), the GNSS Science Advisory Committee (GSAC) and the scientific community who will be exploiting GENESIS data, for implementation of ground systems that allow cost-effective achievement of mission requirements in the routine phase
• Managing the engineering preparation for the launch (launch procurement under Industrial Contractor responsibility), and overseeing the implementation of the launch campaign
• Preparing all aspects of the satellite Launch and Early Operations (LEOP), commissioning and mission operation phases, ensuring good coordination between the ESA team, industrial consortium and the scientific teams
• Reporting regularly on the progress, status, schedule, risks and outcome of managed activities, including realistic forecasting of milestone completion dates and resource usage
• Coordinating with and provide support to the team of other FutureNAV activities as required.

In the execution of your tasks, you will be working with the transversal directorate team and be supported by the support directorates as required.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline for this post is required.

Additional requirements

• Experience in system engineering, ability to coordinate activities of support functions and experience in working with scientific teams
• Demonstrated ability to handle pressure as may typically occur in a project team and ability to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse, international team environment.
• Proven technical, analytical, organisational and reporting skills, a proactive attitude to solving problems and have an interest in innovative technologies and methodologies.
• The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts in a project;
• The ability to organise their 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;
• Strong results 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.