Vacancy in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration 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
The goal of ESAโs Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (HRE) is to secure Europeโs central role in global space exploration, deliver new results in both basic and applied science and offer a compelling vision of global endeavour, enriching society and inspiring the next generations. Our strategy involves three destinations where humans will work with robots to gather new knowledge: low Earth orbit (LEO) on the International Space Station, the Moon and Mars. The Directorateโs teams who work on these projects come from all ESA Member States and cover a variety of disciplines, mainly oriented towards engineering and science.
The LEO and Lunar groups are working together to prepare for the operations of the ESA elements of the Gateway. Their work includes the definition and then development of the facilities, tools and processes needed for the long-term ground and flight operations of the ESA elements.
As Gateway Mission Services System Engineer, you will be part of the HRE Engineering Team (HRE-OE) but will be fully delegated to the Gateway Programme (HRE-L) and you will functionally report to the Gateway Operations Lead. HRE-OE is responsible for the operational engineering aspects of the Human Exploration programmes.
You will be responsible for designing and implementing changes and updates to the HRE ground segment and ensuring it is ready in time to support Gateway operations preparation activities and then full flight operations, as well as for managing all systems and tools required for the execution of the Gateway missions.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- analysing and defining the end-to-end ground segment needs of the ESA Gateway Programme, including overall coordination of the activities needed to prepare the ground segment for Gateway operations. For this task, you will participate in various ESA and Gateway Programme Working Groups, Panels and Boards.
- defining and managing the changes to the existing ISS infrastructure required to meet the Gateway and future Programme needs (Col-CC evolution into the HECC). This will involve the monitoring and control systems, simulators, network upgrades, infrastructure upgrades, support rooms and operational tools.
- placing and managing external and internal contracts/work packages to ensure all the elements are built and ready in a timely manner.
- supporting day-to-day coordination with NASA and the international partners on the definition and documentation of the required changes to interfaces, systems and processes.
- managing the interface with ESOC and NASA to ensure the ESA-provided ground stations are integrated into the Gateway Programme, tested and ready to support operations.
- supervising the Gateway operations integration and testing activities required for operations preparation activities, the launch of the ESA elements and the sustaining phase of the ESA Gateway elements.
- supervising the development of all documentation and procedures/processes for the ESA Gateway ground operations in cooperation with the international partners (including NASA and JAXA).
- defining the operational, data, hardware, software, tools and systems to be provided by or to the international partners and capturing this in multilateral agreements and/or documentation.
Technical competencies Candidates should have professional experience in the end-to-end development and operations of ground systemsCandidates should have a background in ground segment engineering and AIVExperience of interfacing with industry, international partners and European national agencies is requiredPractical experience in networking and associated security, especially in the context of inter-connecting geographically separated complex systems is required
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A master's in an engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
- Experience in space-related ground segment operations would be an asset;
- Knowledge and experience of human-rated spaceflight systems would also be an asset.
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.
Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.
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.