Space Segment Systems Engineer

As a Space Segment Systems Engineer in the Space Systems Section, Space Segment Systems Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, you will provide advice and support to projects in the domain of space segment systems engineering.

The Space Segment Systems Engineering Section is responsible for providing advice and support to projects in the domain of space segment systems engineering. In particular, it provides support to:

• Space segment system activities relating to platforms, rovers and landers, including system design, trading and evaluation, requirements management (traceability, consistency, flowdown to subsystem/unit level) and internal/external interfaces, VCD, system budgets, coordination of verification activities, support to FDIR definition and system mode management.
• The operations concept, as well as the launch and in-flight commissioning.
• The implementation of space sustainability practices and policies.
• Interdisciplinary and cross-cutting initiatives.
• The development of future space platforms.
• Project tender evaluation boards and reviews.
• Concurrent Design Facility (CDF) studies relating to the systems engineering domain.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and controlling system drivers for design, evaluation and trading, and supporting project management in the evaluation of system design trade-off studies (where needed) to ensure consistency of the requirements, design and performance with system-level needs.
• Reviewing the consistency and flowdown of the requirements from space segment system level to subsystem and unit level and internal and external interfaces, ensuring traceability and coherence with mission requirements and technical and programmatic constraints.
• Reviewing and maintaining the requirements database and the VCD.
• Supporting the consolidation and maintenance of all system budgets throughout the project life cycle to ensure compliance with system requirements.
• Supporting the coordination of verification activities to ensure proper verification at mission/ground level, including resolving non-conformances and supporting the assessment of deviations and waivers.
• Maintaining, updating and controlling the space segment system interfaces to the ground segment elements involved in processing the provided data.
• When requested, contributing to/supporting the operations concept and supporting the FDIR definition.
• Providing regular reporting to project management; identifying technological and performance risk areas; proposing and implementing agreed improvements and mitigation measures; and supporting the management of the industrial activities relevant to systems engineering and procurement.
• Coordinating various project engineering domains in support of the systems engineering function, and supporting implementation of model-based system engineering (MBSE).
• Interfacing with operations, the ground segment and, when required, the end-to-end system.
• Preparing for launch and supporting in-flight commissioning and verification activities in collaboration with project and ground teams.
• Supporting the implementation of the Zero Debris Policy.
• Participating in CDF studies as Systems Engineer as required.
• As required and in line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities.

Technical competencies

• Space Systems Engineering in both early and later phases
• System Requirements Engineering, Flowdown & Verification
• Management of interfaces and system-level technical budgets
• Preparation of satellite operation, commissioning and in-orbit verification
• Procurement, management and monitoring of industrial activities

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in space engineering or another relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

At least seven years of relevant professional experience.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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.