Aeolus-2 Project Manager

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 A5 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

If selected for this position, you will report to the Low Earth Orbiting Meteorological Programmes Manager and be responsible for managing the Aeolus-2 Project, including the development of the proto-flight model and recurrent satellite, as well as establishing and managing the ESA Project Team.

Aeolus-2 is planned as an operational follow-on to the successful Aeolus Earth Explorer mission, in collaboration with EUMETSAT for a series of two satellites. The primary payload for Aeolus-2 is a Doppler Wind Lidar designed to measure atmospheric winds by measuring Doppler shifts in the backscatter of emitted laser light from molecules and aerosols in the atmosphere. In addition, a radio occultation instrument will be flown, if feasible.

Aeolus-2 is currently in Phase A with an instrument consolidation study, parallel system accommodation studies (Phase A/B1) and various technology pre-development activities ongoing. The Aeolus-2 Programme for Phase B2/C/D/E1 was approved at the ESA Council meeting at ministerial level in November 2022.

• Responsibility for the end-to-end procurement and technical management of the Aeolus-2 Project within the agreed technical specifications, cost and schedule;
• Preparation of tender documentation and negotiation with industry;
• Management of the industrial Aeolus-2 contract(s);
• Interfacing with EUMETSAT for all programmatic, technical and financial aspects;
• Interfacing with ESA delegate bodies (e.g. DOSTAG);
• Management of the Aeolus-2 ESA Project Team and associated support from the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality, Operations, and Commercialisation, Industry and Procurement, ensuring that all appropriate information is available to all Project participants such that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework.

Space system development and PA standards

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operations

Background in space engineering with systems orientation and end-to-end view of Earth Observation missions

Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects

Delivery of complex projects within cost and schedule

Complex project risk management processes

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master's degree in an engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Previous experience of working within a multi-agency cooperative programme would be an advantage. You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Project 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 organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s 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 the capacity to support others (team members, upper management and other stakeholders) in this process.

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.

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 [email protected] .

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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 or balanced Member States*.
(https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf )

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. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.