IT System Architect

Vacancy in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

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  

As IT System Architect, you will be responsible for the overall system design of the Directorate’s technical IT infrastructure. You will coordinate the technical IT implementation within the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC). You will report to the Head of the Infrastructure and Information Management Office.
You will also act as functional support, with a limit of 20%, to Corporate IT (HFI-I) for IT activities of common interest to TEC and ESA.

Within your role and multifaceted function, you will act as the IT System Architect for the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC). You will oversee the implementation of the technical IT infrastructure in the Directorate and advise on innovative solutions, fostering efficiency and innovation in the Directorate’s IT systems. You will act as Secretary of the TEC IT Steering Group, which governs technical IT implementation within TEC.
In coordination with the business partner function of the Information Technology Department (HIF-I), you will liaise with the Information Technology Department in order to ensure compliance with ESA’s IT strategy and participate in the activities of the Information Technology Department of common interest to TEC and ESA. 

This includes the following tasks:  

•    Maintaining an understanding of business issues, operating procedures and priorities, actively seeking opportunities for increased business agility, ensuring that all of the different services are integrated and in line with the Directorate’s IT architecture plan.
•         Coordinating  with the Information Technology Department’s services to ensure that the proper interconnections and SLAs between TEC and the Information Technology Department’s services are established as needed;
•    Staying updated on Agency and information technology policies and procedures by accessing intranet documentation, the esaIT portal and all relevant accessible knowledge base repositories;
•    Supporting the TEC PSSO and ISO to formalise requirements and assess impacts on security, software licenses and cost, including in support of the IT Department;
•    Providing support on IT security matters to the TEC and the IT Department’s PSSO and ISOs;
•    Maximising the use of existing esaIT solutions, ensuring the compatibility of TEC IT architecture with esaIT architecture when identifying IT solutions for TEC needs;
•    Coordinating all IT procurement with esaIT, including for software tools and IT equipment;
•    Assuming responsibility for TEC IT system architecture and providing assistance with system architecture and the design of IT systems:
o    Formalising user stories and requirements;
o    Identifying required architecture components and/or frameworks. Prioritising architecture deliverables and establishing short-term, mid-term and long-range architecture plans. Discussing plans at an early stage with the IT Department to pursue alignment between the TEC and esaIT roadmaps;
•    Maintaining broad knowledge of current industry technologies, methodologies and designs and their applicability and appropriateness in various solution architectures, applying this knowledge when defining the technical IT strategy;
•    Ensuring constant coordination with the business partner function of the Information Technology Department in order to align existing Directorate IT activities and plans with the overall strategy of the Agency, enabling esaIT to support TEC technical IT implementation.

Knowledge of the relevant Agency rules, processes and procedures

Expertise in enterprise storage, backup and recovery technologies

Experience in designing, architecting, engineering and administering IT solutions

Cloud integration experience of virtual platforms

Experience in cluster methodologies

Expertise in server technologies and deployments in large data centre environments

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

A master's degree in information technology or a related discipline is required.

Five or more years of professional experience in IT architecture, primarily in systems administration, would be an asset.

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, 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. 

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.