Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Vacancy in the Directorate of Operations.

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
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany  

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Earth Observation Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations. 

The Earth Observation Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation and operations of the flight operations ground segment and the satellite mission operations for all ESA Earth Observation satellites, typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of mission.

You will initially be assigned to the EarthCare/SMOS/AEOLUS Missions Operations Unit within the Earth Observation Missions Division and will report hierarchically to the Head of Unit and functionally to the Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM) of the EarthCare Mission.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• assisting the SOM/Head of Unit in the definition, preparation and execution of the missions operations assigned to the Unit, including nominal, special and contingency operations, spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution, performance evaluation and reporting.;
• assisting the SOM/Head of Unit in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
• interfacing with other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies for all aspects related to your area of responsibility; 
• providing support to the Head of Unit in discharging the Unit’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit(s)/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, the Division or the Department and support for other Directorate or ESA activities;
• improving reliability and efficiency of payload operations, both for missions in preparation and missions in flight.

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Knowledge of mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations

Understanding of development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems

Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based

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

A Master's degree in engineering, mathematics or physics is required for this post.

You should also have:

• a minimum of five years of direct experience in flight operations;
• demonstrated experience in planning tools used for multi-instrument planning, including development, tailoring/configuration, setup and automation;
• demonstrated experience in interfacing with external and international partners for matters related to instrument operations;
• a strong capacity for teamwork;
• a high level of self-motivation and autonomy and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.

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. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

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.