Vacancy in the Directorate of Navigation.

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 Organisations’ salary scale.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Head of GALILEO FOC Satellite Engineering and AIV Unit, in the Galileo FOC Satellite Management Service of the Galileo Space Segment Management Office, Galileo and EGNOS Programme Department, Directorate of Navigation.

The GALILEO FOC Satellite Engineering and AIV Unit reports to the Head of the Galileo FOC Satellite Management Service and is responsible for all engineering and AIV activities related to the FOC satellites (payload, platform and system) in close coordination with the FOC Satellite In-Orbit Infrastructure Unit.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

Taking charge of all engineering and AIV activities relevant to the FOC satellites to ensure that these satellites fulfil the Agency’s requirements;
Consolidating and maintaining the satellite requirements, design, development, test and verification;
Monitoring industrial work associated with the satellite procurement and AIT, ensuring full compliance with technical and programmatic requirements;
FOC/Batch-3 launch campaign technical organisation and implementation for satellite activities, in coordination with the Head of the FOC Satellite Management Service;
Monitoring the compliance and timely delivery of deliverable items from the satellite to other segments, systems and organisations;
Leading, managing and motivating the GALILEO FOC Satellite Engineering and AIV team, including the setting of annual objectives, management, daily supervision, annual assessment, and preparing the input and follow up of the team’s human resources and travel budget;
Identifying and efficiently coordinating the specialised engineering support needed from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Operations;
Taking charge of the technical aspects of satellite anomaly-handling, NRBs, the NCR process, RFD/W, etc. in close cooperation with all relevant disciplines;
Leading the FOC Satellite Verification Control Board and VCD process;
Participating in the SSEG CCB, preparing CCRs and evaluating the technical aspects of RFWs and CCNs;
Coordinating and participating in meetings and reviews in areas related to satellites and their subsystems/equipment;
Performing navigation satellite system engineering tasks in support of other ongoing and future activities assigned to the Galileo Space Segment Management Office;
Contributing to the LEOP/IOT and commissioning requirements definition, and supporting the Head of the FOC Satellite Infrastructure Unit for satellite LEOP, commissioning, IOT activities and routine operations including in-orbit flight performance and anomaly tracking and resolution;
Regular and ad hoc reporting to the Head of the FOC Satellite Management Service on all aspects of satellite development and verification, proactive monitoring of relevant schedules, identifying risks and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions.
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

In performing these duties, you will ensure:

Close coordination with the Head of the GALILEO FOC Satellite In-Orbit Infrastructure Unit for all the activities and engineering support of the in-orbit infrastructure;
Close coordination with other FOC satellite functions (PA, PMSO, security and contracts) and with other Galileo areas (system, operations and other segments) as appropriate to maximise efficiency in executing the project.

Technical competencies

Multi-disciplinary knowledge of satellite system engineering and associated subsystems and equipments.

Experience of satellite-level functional, performance and environmental tests.

Experience of at least one complete satellite Integration, test and launch campaign.

Knowledge of Space system development and PA standards

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

A master's in engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

the potential to manage individuals or a team;
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 team’s 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 relevant 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.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.

Applicants must be eligible for security clearance by their national security administrations.

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 Agency’s 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 master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

Head of Engineering/C-Suite jobs

Head of Galileo FOC Satellite Engineering and AIV Unit