Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
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 A5 on the Coordinated Organisationsโ salary scale.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Head of the Mechatronics and Optics Division, Mechanical Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Reporting to the Head of the Mechanical Department, the Head of the Mechatronics and Optics Division is responsible for managing the Division and its activities that cover optical technologies and instruments, optoelectronics technologies, optical communications and quantum technologies, automation and robotics systems in crewed and uncrewed missions, and life and physical sciences instrumentation, including in situ resource utilisation technologies and environmental and control life support (ECLS) systems.
Duties
If selected for this position you will:
- ensure a positive and motivating working environment within the Division;
- establish and maintain good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisational bodies within and outside ESA;
- contribute to the continuous improvement of working procedures and to the reflection on the evolution of the Divisionโs role and activities;
- support the Section Heads in anticipating and resolving sensitive or difficult situations, liaising with Human Resources as required;
- provide technical support to all ESA projects and development programmes in your areas of competence, while participating in the preparation of engineering standards and design guidelines;
- contribute to the definition and promotion of a broad ESA technical and industrial policy, while participating in the definition and execution of the Agencyโs technology programmes;
- implement technology development activities in all covered disciplines (and the associated harmonisation roadmaps);
- define and manage the Divisionโs budgetary resources as well as its laboratory infrastructure, maintaining and operating the necessary internal/external laboratories and their analysis tools;
- liaise on technical matters with users and project groups within and outside the Agency, ensuring harmonisation with other ESA and national developments, as well as monitoring development trends.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
As Head of Division, you will be supported by several Heads of Section, who each manage a team of technical experts.
Technical competencies Sound knowledge of the technical scope of the Divisionโs disciplinesCapability to define strategic technology roadmaps in the above engineering domainsExperience in the preparation of procurement activities for technology development and innovation (such as statements of work and proposal evaluation)Experience in managing and monitoring industrial activities and participation in space project reviewsExperience in managing laboratories and large technology infrastructureKnowledge of related technologies, R&D trends and the industrial landscape
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
You should have a university degree in one of the engineering disciplines covered by the Division, with solid experience in spaceborne systems and proven capabilities in R&D.
Additional requirements
- Demonstrated experience in the management of a large team in a project or R&D environment;
- Sound knowledge of optical technologies and instrument design and analysis, engineering and verification, covering micro-optics, interferometry and spectroradiometric imaging and calibration;
- Sound knowledge of optoelectronics technologies and instruments, including laser, photonic integrated optics, detectors, optical communications and quantum technologies;
- Sound knowledge of automation and robotics systems and payloads through dealing with space exploration projects and payload control systems in crewed and uncrewed missions;
- Sound knowledge of instrumentation technologies for life and physical sciences and exploration, including in situ resource utilisation and environmental control and life support (ECLS) systems;
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, as well as solid cognitive, analytical, planning, delegation and organisational skills. In addition, strong relationship management skills, the ability to motivate a team of engineers and a highly developed sense of innovation and creativity are required.
Additional competencies, which would be considered assets for this position:
- Previous experience of managing managers and multiple teams;
- The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division and then relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
- The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
- A proven track record of representing the Agencyโs interests to external interfaces;
- The ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
- The ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with a high level of integrity, supporting others (team members, senior management and other stakeholders) in this process.
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 at 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.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.