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 Sentinel-2 (S2) and Sentinel-2 Next Generation (S2 NG) missions are implemented under the Copernicus programme. The Sentinel-2 mission comprises four satellites; the first and second spacecrafts were launched in 2015 and 2017 respectively and are in operations, while the third and fourth units, currently in storage, are expected to be launched in Q2 2023 and in the second half of the decade respectively. As part of the global effort to develop next-generation missions beyond those already operational, the Sentinel-2 Next Generation mission is aimed at replacing the Sentinel-2 C&D satellites, providing continuity beyond 2030 and introducing several enhancements. The Project will begin its Phase A/B1 in Q4 2023.
Working in the Copernicus S2/S2 NG Project Team, Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes and reporting to the S2/S2 NG Project Manager, you will be responsible for consolidation and implementation of the overall system design, operations concept and system end-to-end performance. The assignment covers the activities relating to the study and implementation phases of the S2 Next Generation satellites, as well as the remaining activities up to the commissioning of the Sentinel-2 C&D satellites: storage/de-storage, launch, LEOP and commissioning, including acceptance testing of Sentinel-2D.
You will report to the S2/S2 NG Project Manager for all technical, programmatic and financial matters.
Duties
Your principal tasks and responsibilities, covering both the Sentinel-2 C&D satellites and Sentinel-2 NG, as relevant, will include:
- establishing, consolidating, maintaining and implementing the system requirements
- ensuring consistency between mission requirements and system requirements by liaising, together with the S2/S2 NG Project Team Payload Manager, with the Mission Science Division and by participating in the Mission Advisory Group;
- coordinating with other S2/S2 NG Project Team sections to ensure consistency of requirements, design, testing and performance, including end-to-end performance, with system-level needs;
- consolidating the system definition, including the Space Segment architecture, Level 1 data processing, the Flight Operations Segment (FOS) and other internal and external elements, as well as the associated mission analysis, ensuring compliance with system and Space Segment system requirements, operations interface requirements and space debris mitigation requirements in particular;
- monitoring mission- and system-related industrial work to ensure that the performance of all satellite functional chains is suitable for the mission;
- establishing and monitoring the execution of coherent Satellite System Validation Test (SSVT) programmes for the purpose of combined satellite/Ground Segment operations verification, and coordinating their implementation;
- establishing, in cooperation with the Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment teams, the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and the in-flight satellite commissioning and verification plans; coordinating, with the support of the S2/S2NG Payload Manager and of the other Project sections, the preparation and execution of the in-orbit verification programme, including in particular the LEOP and the in-flight satellite commissioning in close cooperation with the Flight Operations Segment and the Ground Segment teams;
- liaising with the post-launch support team, organising the resolution of in-orbit anomalies involving appropriate expert support and ensuring any lessons learned are fed back into S2 NG development; maintaining, updating and controlling the interfaces between the satellite systems and the relevant Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment elements, and liaising with the FOS and Ground Segment teams on the implementation of the mission-specific ground functionality and services;
Duties continued
- managing, with the support of the S2/S2 NG Payload Manager, the end-to-end performances and data flow from geophysical parameters, through the instruments and satellite systems up to the final data products, ensuring the availability of all required models and tools, including the procurement/upgrade and use of the end-to-end simulator and ground prototype processor, and supporting cross-validation activities with the operational processor as necessary;
- monitoring and controlling software development and validation, liaising with the S2/S2 NG Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager on aspects relating to the software/hardware verification;
- ensuring, with the S2/S2 NG Satellite Engineering and AIV Manager, appropriate commonality between AIT and operations procedures and databases;
- liaising closely with other Project sections to ensure a consistent approach to satellite procurement, verification, launch and in-orbit operations preparations;
- coordinating and managing the necessary specialist technical support from other directorates or departments as required to meet the Project objectives;
- providing regular reporting to the Project Manager on all aspects of the system, operations and Ground Segment development, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions where appropriate;
- supporting the general Project reporting tasks (monthly, QSR/QIR and Mission Advisory Group) and other Department-level support activities as required.
In performing these duties, you will lead a section of engineers and will liaise closely with the other Project sections and other relevant Copernicus entities. You will be supported by a team of engineers shared among the Copernicus Space Component and by specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
Technical competencies Experience in mission, spacecraft and/or payload operationsExperience in satellite in-orbit commissioning and performance verification methodologiesExperience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviewsKnowledge and experience of ground segment, simulators and early operations (especially Launch and Early Orbit phase and in-orbit commissioning)Knowledge of all phases of the software development lifecycle Capability to evaluate performance at mission levelKnowledge of satellite systems and ground segment architecture
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward ThinkingEducation
A master's degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
You should also have:
- the ability to organise team 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 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;
- a 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.
Previous people management experience is an asset for the position, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to the activities of ESA.
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.