Vacancy in the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Commissioning, Ground Segment Interface and Performance Engineer, System Support Division, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
You will initially work on Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5, and will be redeployed after completion of those projects.
Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 are Copernicus payloads embarked on the MTG and Metop-SG meteorological satellites, respectively. The ground segment is developed by EUMETSAT, and requires the integration of Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 data processing algorithms which are developed by ESA.
You will be responsible for ensuring the coherence of the implementation for all the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 instrument data and calibration processing functions under ESAโs responsibility, and supporting their proper interfacing and integration into the EUMETSAT overall ground segment. You will also be responsible for organising the Sentinel-4/Sentinel-5 instrument commissioning tasks, in coordination with the person responsible for the overall MTG/Metop-SG commissioning.
You will report functionally to the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 Project Managers. You will also coordinate with the Head of the System Support Division to ensure usage of common standards and methods, and access to the necessary resources and support as needed.
Duties
Specifically, your tasks will include:
- maintaining the requirements for the specific Sentinel-4/Sentinel-5 ground software components implemented by ESA, in particular the instrument scientific simulators and scientific data processors;
- monitoring the implementation of these software components and ensuring their suitability for instrument pre- and post-launch performance verification, and their compatibility with the overall EUMETSAT ground segment;
- supporting the implementation of the instrument operations procedures and ensuring their compatibility with the overall EUMETSAT ground segment;
- defining the set of tasks for commissioning the Sentinel-4/Sentinel-5 instruments and the resources required for their execution;
- coordinating the execution of the commissioning tasks;
- coordinating the work of specialist engineers who contribute to the above tasks;
- coordinating with EUMETSAT on technical and programmatic aspects concerning the Sentinel-4 and/or Sentinel-5 contribution to the EUMETSAT ground segment;
- supporting the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 Project Managersโ interaction with their science advisory group, including the assessment and disposition of mission change requests;
- supporting Project Reviews.
When performing your duties, you will report functionally to the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 Project Managers in the Earth Observation Projects Department. You will be required to:
- interface with the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 payload and instrument/processing performance engineers to ensure the coherence of space and ground components, at interface and operations level;
- interface with the MTG and Metop-SG system engineers to ensure coherence with the overall MTG and Metop-SG missions, at operations level, and for the coordination of commissioning tasks;
- interface with the EUMETSAT ground system engineers to ensure coherence with the overall EUMETSAT ground segment (MTG and Metop-SG);
- liaise with the System Support Division to facilitate the application of standard methods to Sentinel-4/Sentinel-5 ground software developments, and obtain support, as necessary.
- liaise with the Sentinel-4 and Sentinel-5 Science Mission Advisory Group (MAG).
Technical competencies Solid, extensive and demonstrated experience with overall Ground Segment developmentSolid, extensive and demonstrated experience with the commissioning phaseSolid understanding of individual ground segment components development, in particular instrument scientific simulators, scientific data processing and data quality monitoringSolid understanding of mission operations, including payload command and control, and payload data acquisition, processing, archiving and distributionKnowledge of software development processes and methodologies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A master's degree in an engineering field or related subject is required for this post
Additional requirements
Experience with the technical management of industrial contracts for software development would be an asset.
You should demonstrate strong coordination skills and experience, and the capacity to develop and apply pragmatic solutions in an environment of high complexity (at both system and team organisation level). Strong negotiation skills are also necessary.
Other information
For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.
For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.
At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
In accordance with the European Space Agencyโs security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the masterโs degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.