Description

PLATO is the third medium-sized mission of the European Space Agency’s Cosmic Vision science programme and is devoted to the search for and characterisation of exoplanets around sun-like stars in their habitable zone.

Reporting directly to the PLATO Project Manager, you will be responsible for continuing the definition and procurement of the PLATO spacecraft and will be in charge of all engineering and operational activities pertaining to the spacecraft.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• coordinating with the Mission and Payload Section to ensure consistency of platform, instrument, subsystem and equipment requirements and interfaces;
• managing the industrial activities and evaluating the proposed designs, hardware and software solutions to ensure full compliance with scientific, technical and programmatic requirements and constraints;
• consolidating, implementing, verifying and maintaining the PLATO space segment requirements, including the satellite-to-instrument, satellite-to-launcher and satellite-to-ground-segment interfaces;
• scrutinising the definition and evolution of all engineering budgets and satellite interfaces and instigating corrective and/or recovery actions where necessary in a timely manner;
• monitoring the specification and procurement of all platform subsystems and equipment and associated verification;
• planning, preparing and implementing the verification programme for the space segment, including chairing the verification control boards;
• managing the interfaces between the spacecraft and the payload module together with the Payload Section;
• providing engineering support in the definition, performance and evaluation of functional and environmental tests;
• ensuring the in-orbit commissioning of the spacecraft to support the overall mission system commissioning;
• managing the Spacecraft Engineering Section, ensuring consistency of approach and objectives across major disciplines, including thermal hardware, structure, power and harness subsystems, RF communication subsystems, AOCS, propulsion, data handling, mechanical engineering, thermal engineering, electrical engineering and software engineering;
• managing the engineering support to the Mission and Payload and AIT Sections as appropriate to maximise efficiency in executing the project;
• assigning performance objectives and assessing the performance of members of the Section, and motivating the team to ensure commitment to project goals as part of your team management responsibilities;
• participating in other tasks of the Project and the Projects Department as requested.

In the execution of these tasks, you will lead a team of project engineers and will liaise closely with the other sections involved in the Project. You will also be supported by specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

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

You will:

• have experience in satellite in-orbit commissioning and performance verification methodologies;
• have system engineering experience and knowledge of all phases of the spacecraft development life cycle;
• have knowledge and experience of verification practice tools, notably DOORS (desirable);
• be self-motivated, system-oriented and able to effectively interact with ESA stakeholders, scientific institutions and industry by building positive relationships;
• be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks under your responsibility.

As this post is for a Section Head, the required managerial competencies include:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of senior engineers;
• proven ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Project and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• a proven ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• proven excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• a proven ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity, as well as supporting others, such as team members, upper management and other stakeholders, in this process.

International experience is an asset, i.e., outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.