MetOp-SG 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

Meteorological Operational Second Generation (MetOp-SG) is a collaborative programme with EUMETSAT for six low-Earth orbiting meteorological satellites. The programme covers two series of satellites with three satellites in each series. The Satellite-A series carries visible/infrared imagers, infrared/microwave sounders, a radio occultation sounder and the Sentinel-5 instrument, while the Satellite-B series carries microwave imagers, an active C-band scatterometer, a radio occultation sounder and a data collection payload. The first launches for both Satellite-A and Satellite-B are planned to take place in 2025.

You will manage the MetOp-SG project, covering both the development and recurrent satellites, and will report to the Meteorological Programmes Manager, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• responsibility for the end-to-end procurement and technical management of the MetOp-SG project, covering both the development and recurrent satellites, within the agreed technical specifications, cost and schedule;
• management of the industrial MetOp-SG contract(s), including negotiation of any changes;
• coordination with the Copernicus Sentinel-5 project for the provision of the Sentinel-5 instrument as a Customer Furnished Item to the MetOp-SG project;
• coordination with EUMETSAT, CNES and DLR for the provision of the METimage, IASI-NG and Argos-4 instruments as Customer Furnished Items to the MetOp-SG project;
• interfacing with EUMETSAT for all programmatic, technical and financial aspects relating to the recurrent satellites;
• interfacing with ESA delegate bodies, such as DOSTAG and PB-EO;
• management of the MetOp-SG 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 so that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting on the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

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, schedule and programme management

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.

Previous experience of working on a multi-agency, cooperative programme is an advantage. Furthermore, you should 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, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management and other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is an asset, as is 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 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. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.