Description

Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is a collaborative programme with EUMETSAT for six geostationary meteorological satellites. It covers four imaging satellites (MTG-I) carrying a visible infrared imager, a lightning imager, and search and rescue and data collection payloads, as well as two sounding satellites (MTG-S) carrying an infrared sounder and the Sentinel-4 instrument. The first MTG-I satellite was launched in December 2022, while the first MTG-S satellite will be ready for launch in Q4 2024.

You will manage the MTG engineering and AITV of all MTG satellites, ensuring full consistency with MTG engineering requirements and launcher interfaces, as well as overseeing the build, test, and readiness/acceptability of the satellites for launch and/or long-term storage. You will report to the MTG Project Manager within the Meteorological Programmes area, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• coordinating with the MTG System and Payload, Commissioning and Operations and Product Assurance teams to ensure a consistent and coherent approach to all MTG satellite implementation aspects;
• managing, monitoring, and motivating the MTG Engineering and AITV team activities to ensure all satellite implementation and verification aspects are suitably addressed;
• closely monitoring the progress of industrial AITV activities (including production of the platform products), ensuring the timely preparation of all tests across instrument and satellite models, analysing risks and potential workaround solutions, providing early warning of major problem areas and anomalies (either test- or process-related) and ensuring appropriate mitigation actions are identified and implemented;
• coordinating with EUMETSAT and Arianespace on all satellite-to-launcher interface aspects, supporting the detailed definition and implementation of launch campaigns;
• leading the activities necessary to transition the baseline MTG launch vehicle from Ariane 5 to Ariane 6, in close coordination with EUMETSAT and Arianespace;
• ensuring interfaces and associated deliverables from the Sentinel 4/UVN are suitably managed and dispatched;
• managing the long-term storage programme and its implementation;
• ensuring active participation in NRBs, CCBs and CRBs as appropriate for early resolution of, and agreement on, appropriate mitigation/recovery measures;
• ensuring availability of additional specialist support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, as necessary;
• managing, coordinating, and participating in the MTG review process at equipment, module and satellite level, ensuring rigorous coverage of all engineering aspects and the follow-up of resulting RIDS/actions;
• supporting the MTG Project Manager in reviews and negotiations as required.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Previous experience working on a multi-agency, cooperative programme would be an advantage.

You should also have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team 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 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 would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.