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
The Harmony mission is an Earth Observation research mission selected as the 10th Earth Explorer mission and adopted for implementation at the 2022 ESA Council meeting at ministerial level. The Harmony mission is composed of two satellites orbiting in formation with one of the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites to address key scientific questions related to ocean, ice and land dynamics. Each Harmony satellite will carry a receive-only synthetic aperture radar (SAR) as its main instrument that will work together with Sentinel-1โs radar. Both Harmony satellites will also carry a multi-view thermal-infrared instrument (TIR) to measure sea-surface temperature differences and cloud-top motion.
During the mission, the Harmony convoy will switch between two formation configurations to address different science goals. The mission will include the first- and fifth-year cross-track Interferometric phase covering land application. In the intervening three years, the mission will be reconfigured to fly in a stereo formation over the ocean.
The Harmony Payload Manager will report to the Harmony Project Manager. You will be in charge of leading and coordinating support from other engineers working on the project and specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).
Duties
The Harmony Payload Manager is in charge of the Harmony payload development including the SAR and TIR instruments for the two Harmony satellites.
Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:
- preparing, evaluating and negotiating the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the SAR and the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the complete Harmony satellite for the payload aspects and the interface with the satellite;
- responsibility for completing the B2CDE1 phases (design, development and commissioning) of the payload including the SAR and TIR instruments, ensuring consistency with the specifications and the timely availability of the flight hardware for the spacecraft;
- monitoring the payload procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any payload-related non-conformance or anomaly requiring appropriate expert support;
- defining, consolidating and maintaining the instrument requirements, ensuring coherence with the mission requirements and constraints;
- ensuring that the operability of the payload is fully compatible with the overall Harmony satellite operations, observability and availability requirements;
- ensuring consistency of the design, testing and performances of the SAR and TIR instruments with mission needs;
- assessing and reviewing the payload architecture and design, including identification and analysis of design drivers, option for cost/schedule optimisation, etc.;
- the early identification and follow-up of pre-development activities for critical payload technologies, where appropriate;
- monitoring AIV/AIT activities at payload equipment and payload level to ensure the proper and timely conduct of all payload AIT activities;
- conducting the critical analysis and review of the instrument test plans at both instrument and satellite level to ensure consistency of approach and capability to compare results;
- ensuring the timely availability of all payload design, interface data and associated operations documentation and databases, consistent with the overall satellite needs;
- supporting the payload aspects of the other sections of the Harmony project as regards the interface with the Mission Advisory Group (e.g. payload performance and specific calibration needs);
- coordinating with the other sections within the Harmony project to ensure compliance with space debris mitigation requirements as regards payload aspects (e.g. design for demise);
- coordinating with the Harmony team the needs for payload calibration, and ensuring the delivery of calibrated payloads in collaboration with the System and Ops team;
- supporting, for the SAR instrument, the coordination with the Sentinel-1 satellite used as the main emitter in collaboration with Project team;
- supporting general Project reporting tasks (weekly flash, monthly, QSR);
- supporting the building up and later on the lead of the Payload team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks and objectives as well as the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment (including training needs), ensuring staff motivation and commitment to the Project's goal.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting any health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
Technical competencies Experience of managing technical interfaces between Instrument and platform both within ESA project team environment and for the industrial consortiumExperience with industrial procurement and development of payload, verification process and conduct of reviews including concrete experience in B2CDE1Knowledge of SAR and TIR payload design driver for performance as for their timely developmentKnowledge of ESA Space system development and PA standards
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A master's in a scientific/engineering discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
You should have in-depth experience of the management of payload development activities and of industrial contracts.
Specific expertise with SAR and TIR instruments would be an asset. You should also have:
- the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project or R&D 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 teamโs 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 result 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 would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas related to ESA activities.
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.