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 hugely 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 System Lead is to manage all the payload system aspects, including testing and performance verification.

You will manage a team composed of 4–5 engineers, and you will coordinate the TEC support.

You will liaise closely with the spacecraft team and with the mission and performance team for all system and performance aspects.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• ensuring the completion of all payload tasks within the agreed schedule (Phases B2–E1);
• ensuring that the requirements set applicable to the payload are complete and justified, including traceability to the mission requirements;
• ensuring the conformity of the payload system design to the mission requirements;
• managing the internal-to-the payload interfaces and the interfaces to the spacecraft, including the constellation acquisition sensor, and ensuring their complete definition, implementation and verification;
• ensuring that the payload systems and performance modelling are in accordance with the system needs;
• managing the payload design and verification approach of hardware and associated software and mathematical models for delivery to the Prime Contractor as Customer Furnished Items;
• ensuring the verification of all requirements pertaining to the operation of the payload and the calibration;
• supporting the Payload Manager with the planning and implementation of the payload-level reviews.

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 15 years of experience in the development of complex payload.
Relevant experience in the management of scientific consortiums.

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.