Research and Utilisation Programme Engineer

Vacancy in the Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration 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 A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Your host organisation will be the Research and Payloads Group, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes. You will be assigned as integrated support from your parent organisation, the Space Environments and Effects Section, Power Systems, EMC and Space Environments Division, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Reporting to the leader of the Utilisation Planning and Integration Team, you will support the Team Leader in the implementation of the utilisation programme for the ISS, future LEO platforms and the Gateway.

You will liaise closely with industrial and scientific partners, various ESA teams in the Research and Payloads Group, particularly the Science and Utilisation Planning Teams, as well as the teams in the LEO Exploration Group, most notably the Engineering and the Operations Teams.

Your tasks and responsibilities will be focused on two main activities:

Task 1: Technical Officer for the European Radiation Facility Network (ERFNet).
Your responsibilities will include: 

•    managing the ERFNet contract;
•    managing the implementation phase of ERFNet, leading to a successful acceptance review;
•    conducting project reviews at ERFNet system and ground segment level, and supporting other related reviews;
•    transitioning ERFNet into its operational phase;
•    liaising closely with the ESA Project Scientist and the ERFNet Team for the coordination with international scientific teams;
•    coordinating the implementation and operation of ERFNet with the European operations centre for the Gateway;
•    establishing and maintaining technical and operational interfaces with external centres (such as the Space Weather Office, HRE Data Archive, etc). 

Task 2: Technical Officer for the commercial platform services contract, such as Bartolomeo.
Your responsibilities will include:

•    preparing, negotiating and managing the relevant contracts, service orders and agreements;
•    monitoring for commercial contract-related activities and payload developments, identifying risks and critical areas, assigning corrective actions, devising solutions for resource conflicts and implementing the necessary changes to the established requirements;
•    supporting the Utilisation and Operations Teams and the Project Scientist(s) to prepare the operational phase of the payloads using the commercial services;
•    coordinating and agreeing the required NanoRacks Airlock (NRAL) cycles with international and commercial partners;
•    providing support for the early assessment of the feasibility of potential new commercial platform payloads;
•    supporting technical discussions/negotiations with launch authorities regarding launcher interfaces;
•    supporting the organisation and conduct of project reviews at system, ground segment and payload level.

In addition, your responsibilities will include:

•    supporting the definition of utilisation for commercial LEO destinations (CLD);
•    supporting the definition and review of ESA Gateway Utilisation documentation, processes and interfaces;
•    supporting mission management, planning and integration-related activities associated with European astronaut flights;
•    supporting line management in identifying areas of improvement, suggesting ways forward and potential changes;
•    coordinating with the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, as required for support provided to projects;
•    you will also participate in periodic meetings with the parent Section, contributing to the transfer of technical knowledge and lessons learned across the Agency.

Extensive knowledge of industrial costs and procurement processes

Experience in space payload development, verification, testing integration and operations

Knowledge of other technical domains interfacing with your area of responsibility

Knowledge of project schedule and risk management processes

Extensive knowledge of ESA space system development, ECSS and PA standards

Knowledge of space environments and effects

Multidisciplinary knowledge of your area of responsibility

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

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

Experience in working with crewed missions, operations or engineering is considered a strong asset.

Experience of external payloads and the Bartolomeo platform would be an asset.

Good knowledge and experience of managing industrial activities and substantial industrial experience would be an asset.

A high level of communication and coordination skills is required.

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.  

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. 

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.