Description

As part of the LISA team, in the Projects Department of the Science Directorate, you will report functionally to the LISA Payload Manager.

LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a mission comprising a constellation of three spacecraft tasked with detecting and measuring gravitational waves with precision. It will become the first ever space gravitational wave observatory. It will deliver world-class science and will have significant public and strategic impact. The mission itself is extremely complex, involving 19 institutes from ten European countries as well as a significant involvement by NASA that will provide telescopes, lasers, and electrostatic dischargers under a partnership agreement with ESA.

ESA is responsible for the mission as a whole, including the procurement of three spacecraft and of the launch vehicle, and the development of the payload and ground segment. For LISA, ESA will take additional responsibility, leading payload system design and programmatic, including performance, responsibility.

The role of the LISA Payload Procurement Lead is to monitor the procurement of the payload CFIs, provided by the Member States and NASA, in full compliance with the performance and schedule requirements.
You will manage a team of engineers in charge of monitoring the procurement of the various payload elements and will liaise closely with the payload system team and the PRODEX team. You will also be responsible for the EEE parts procurement of the payload CFIs.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• managing the procurement of all the payload ESA CFIs, provided by the Member States (interferometric detection system, gravitational reference sensor system, system data and diagnostics system) and by NASA (telescopes, lasers and charge management device);
• ensuring the completion of all payload tasks within the agreed schedule (Phases B2-E1);
• ensuring the conformity of the payload CFIs to the applicable requirements;
• managing the Coordinated Parts Procurement (CPPA);
• implementing the LISA risk management process agreed at mission level for the payload, identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks for all payload CFIs;
• implementing project management and product assurance and safety processes.

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 degree in engineering is required.

Additional requirements

A minimum of ten years of experience in the space field, including relevant experience in project engineering and management of industrial partners, is required.

You should further have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting.
• 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.