Business Applications Engineer

Vacancy in the Directorate of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications.

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
ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom  

Reporting to the Head of the Space Applications Initiatives Section, you will be working at the forefront of innovative opportunities in ESA’s Downstream Business Applications and Space Solutions. You will be responsible for developing and promoting space-based applications and services.

In ESA Business Applications, our aim is to show that space is open for business and has the power to improve our everyday lives on Earth. We do this by helping companies to integrate space data and technology into commercial services.

You will work in close cooperation with members of the Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Directorate and other directorates, as well as with industry and institutions representing user communities in the framework of ESA programmes.

•    Identify and characterise commercial opportunities for innovative services and applications exploiting space assets such as Satellite Communications, Satellite Navigation, aand Earth Observation integrated with digital technologies;
•    Engage with users and relevant stakeholders to identify commercial needs for new downstream business applications/services as well as other project opportunities in the Directorate, bringing together new user communities accordingly;
•    Assess the Economic, Environmental and Societal Sustainability potential of the identified opportunities;
•    Define and develop initiatives in cooperation with partners in the context of the ARTES programme, including Strategic Programme Lines such as 5G and 4S, to support the generation of sustainable solutions and services addressing the identified opportunities;
•    Contribute to managing the activities pursued in the context of cross-directorate/cross-ESA programmes supporting the Directorate’s priorities, particularly in the domains of green transition and safety and security;
•    Establish and develop strategic partnerships with private and public stakeholders in innovative technological domains, market sectors, and strategic areas for the Directorate;
•    Support industry to develop proposals for new activities, selecting them and performing quality control, exercised through procurements and competitions;
•    Manage industrial contracts (studies and demonstration projects) in your areas of responsibility;
•    Analyse and assess the business, technical and regulatory risks associated with the development and operation of sustainable space-based applications and services;
•    Support the preparation of work plans and reporting to delegate bodies;
•    Support the Head of the Space Applications Initiatives Section in defining instruments to assist newcomers and non-space companies, including SMEs and start-ups, to develop proposals for space application studies and projects;
•    Coach junior team members and supervise the execution of tasks by contractors.

Background and work experience in satellite communications (including 5G), satellite navigation or satellite earth observation

Knowledge relevant to the field of activities

Experience with the preparation and/or assessment of business plans

Experience in the management of applications development activities

Experience with Environmental, Social and Governance Sustainability assessment

Stakeholder management

Market research analysis

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

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. engineering, computer science.
Master’s in business administration or other business education is a distinct advantage.

The successful candidate brings at least 5 years of working experience with knowledge of the space sector, at least one of the following vertical sectors and industry is required: transportation and automotive, finance and insurance, real estate, retail, energy and utilities, agriculture and forestry, manufacturing and natural resources, health and social care, sports, media, communications and entertainment.

You have solid experience in (some of) the following technologies:
•    Internet of Things
•    secure communications
•    technologies such as blockchain and AR/VR
•    Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
•    big data analytics and other digital transformation trends

You have experience with data analysis and the derivation of key indicators as well as user requirements derivation.
You also have experience in writing dossiers and reports for Board meetings.

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 email [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 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. 

Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.