Telecom Satellite Project Manager

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
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

You will report to the Optical & Quantum Satellites Programme Manager within the Telecommunications Satellite Programme Department. 

You will be responsible for managing and implementing all the activities related to the Spanish QKD Mission Project for which ESA is providing technical assistance to Spain.
You will also be responsible for developing a long-term partnership with industry and/or operator partners by fostering reliable technical collaboration as well as steering innovation and digitalisation in procurement activities.

The project is part of Spain’s Recovery and Resilience Facility plan which aims to enhance that country’s capabilities in satellite-based quantum key distribution technologies and applications.

•    Successfully managing the Spanish QKD Mission Project, ensuring it meets its declared technical, programmatic, schedule and cost objectives;
•    Negotiating and subsequently managing the project contract, including contract changes as required;
•    Building and subsequently managing the ESA project team, including specialised engineering support from the ESA Technology, Engineering and Quality Directorate;
•    Maintaining an ESA-internal project risk register and proactively managing all risks;
•    Organising all project-related communication activities;
•    Ensuring best practices for lessons learned are applied;
•    Providing regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to ESA management and to Spain;
•    Ensuring coordination with the SPL Optical and ScyLight manager on EuroQCI-related matters.

Multi-disciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of equipment qualification, satellite design and assembly integration & test

Knowledge of ESA and mission/spacecraft development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of digitalisation tools and digital process of the key European primes

Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule and program management

Knowledge of satellite innovative industrial developments

Complex project risk management processes

Space and ground end-to-end system development and PA standards

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

A Master's degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline for this post is required.

•    Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
•    The ability to organise a project team’s activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
•    The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
•    Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
•    Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions, both orally and in writing;
•    Good communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to summarise complex information;
•    The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused;
•    International experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities;
•    Experience in managing complex space programmes up to launch and in-orbit testing, preferably in the telecommunications domain;
•    Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications industrial firm and operator;
•    Experience in Partnership Projects and/or the ability to enforce rigorous oversight of satellite procurements while maintaining an excellent relationship with manufacturers.

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 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.