Vacancy in the Directorate of Science.
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
LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) is a mission comprising a constellation of three spacecraft to detect and measure with precision gravitational waves. It will become the first ever space gravitational wave observatory. It will deliver world-class science and will have significant public and strategic impact. The mission itself is of extreme complexity, involving 19 institutes from 10 European countries as well as a significant involvement by NASA that will provide telescopes, lasers and electrostatic dischargers under a partnership agreement with ESA.
ESA is responsible for the mission at a whole, including the procurement of three spacecraft and of the launch vehicle, and the development of the payload and ground segment. For LISA, ESA will take additional responsibility, leading payload system design and programmatic, including performance responsibility.
You will be part of the LISA team, in the Projects Department of the Science Directorate, and will report to the LISA Project Manager.
The role of the LISA Payload Manager is to deliver the payload, including the contributions from the Scientific Consortium and from NASA, meeting the performance and schedule requirements. This entails significant exposure to international partners and the management of enabling elements of international cooperations.
You will be delegated the responsibility to represent the LISA project at the Science Working Team and will deputise the Project Manager at the Steering Committee with the representatives of the funding agencies. You will manage two teams, in charge, respectively, of payload procurement and payload system aspects.
For candidates currently in the A2-A4 grade band, regrading to A5 will take effect following the selection of LISA Prime (IPC paper currently expected in Q4 2024).
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- ensuring the completion of all payload tasks within the agreed schedule (Phases B2-E1);
- ensuring the conformity of the payload system design to the mission requirements;
- ensuring that the payload systems and performance modelling are in accordance with the system needs;
- managing the payload design and verification approach of hardware and associated software and mathematical models, for delivery to the Prime Contractor as Customer Furnished Items;
- ensuring the verification of all requirements pertaining to the operation of the instruments and to the calibration;
- contributing to the establishment of the agreements for provision and management of contributions by member states and NASA;
- supporting the instruments consortia in their provision of instruments and supervising the PRODEX developments;
- managing the Coordinated Parts Procurement (CPPA);
- manage the procurement of the payload elements that are directly procured by ESA;
- implementing the LISA risk management process agreed at mission level for the Payload, identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility;
- implementing project management and product assurance and safety processes;
- leading ESA and consortia teams to ensure that the project goals are achieved.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
Technical competencies Space project managementTechnical understanding of space systems, and science instruments in particularDevelopment of scientific instruments and management of institutesIndustry contractor managementInterface managementComplex project risk management processesKnowledge of agency procedures (IPRev, AC/IPC, SPC, Design reviewsโฆ)
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A Master's degree in engineering is required.
Additional requirements
Significant experience (minimum 15 years) in development of scientific projects. Solid experience in the space field, including relevant experience in project engineering and managing of industrial partners, is required.
You should further have:- proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of engineers;
- proven experience in C/D Phase and a record of successful deliveries of scientific payloads;
- the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals within the team and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
- the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organization;
- demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
- a proven track record of representing the Agencyโs interests to external interfaces;
- excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
- the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
- the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, 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.