LEO-PNT System and Segment Interfaces Coordinator

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Description

LEO-PNT System and Segment Interfaces Coordinator in the Celeste System Unit, Celeste Programme, Future Navigation Department, Directorate of Navigation (D/NAV).

Reporting to the Celeste System Manager, you will be responsible for the system interfaces for the IOP and EU LEO-PNT projects, as well as for supporting other areas of system engineering.

Celeste is the Component 1 LEO-PNT of the FutureNAV programme. Celeste represents the ESA contribution towards the establishment of a European Low Earth Orbit Positioning, Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) capability as part of a multilayer system-of-systems PNT architecture. This component aims to complement existing GNSS services by leveraging a constellation of LEO satellites to deliver enhanced resilience, improved accuracy, and innovative features for emerging applications.

The Celeste team is responsible for the following activities:

• implementation of the Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD) phase, with two ongoing industrial contracts, each of them implementing an end-to-end system, including launch services, operations and service demonstration, showcasing the feasibility and benefits of using low-Earth orbits, novel signals and frequency bands;
• implementation of the Celeste In-Orbit Preparatory (IOP) phase to prepare for a future LEO-PNT operational system for the European Union and to unlock global commercial opportunities, driving innovation and reinforcing European leadership in emerging PNT markets, including the development and qualification of pre-operational products and building blocks, their industrialisation, including mature and qualified technologies, and the creation of the Celeste in-orbit validation end-to-end system;
• the associated system engineering, technology development, ground segment, launch services, operations, in-orbit demonstration, industrialisation and system in-orbit validation activities;
• the associated coordination activities with the EU in preparation for an EU LEO-PNT operational system;
• contributions towards LEO-PNT interoperability and compatibility with GNSS and other LEO-PNT systems, in collaboration with international stakeholders.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• responsibility for the system interfaces, covering both internal and external interfaces for the Celeste IOP and future operational LEO-PNT, with a particular focus on TT&C and ISL;
• supporting and coordinating with the ESA D/NAV ground segment team for the EU LEO-PNT ground segment aspects;
• definition and maintenance of system interfaces, such as ground-to-ground, ground-to-space and space-to-space interfaces, including security aspects;
• contributing and coordinating with those responsible for operations within the Celeste system team and with the EU LEO-PNT operations team;
• contributing to and supporting the follow-up of activities relating to the ground segment and interfaces that contribute to EU LEO-PNT, including the definition of IRDs and ICDs;
• follow-up of industrial activities with a focus on interfaces and ground segment and ensuring coherence and consistency among Celeste contracts and EU LEO-PNT;
• coordinating a team of engineers and specialised engineering support from the ESA Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality in the area of interfaces and ground segment;
• following up the implementation of interfaces and ground segment aspects at system level;
• assisting in non-conformance and technical change/engineering boards, analysing related requests for deviations/waivers and issuing recommendations on the way forward;
• supporting verification and validation activities in the areas of interfaces and ground segment;
• supporting other system engineering areas, such as performances and system architecture, when required;
• supporting project management for technical interfaces between ESA and partner organisations, if relevant;
• providing regular reporting to project management on all aspects in your area of competence, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions, where appropriate.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of and experience in the system engineering domain
• Knowledge of and experience in satellite navigation systems
• Knowledge of and experience in managing industrial activities in the space domain, with a focus on the ground segment
• Knowledge of and experience in interfaces covering ground to ground, ground to space and space to space
• Knowledge of and experience in system validation and verification processes

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four years of relevant professional experience, may be considered.

Additional requirements

• a strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• demonstrated planning and organisational skills.

The following are considered assets:

• experience in LEO-PNT systems and/or GNSS systems;
• experience in TT&C interfaces and/or intersatellite links;
• experience in ground segment for LEO systems;
• strong communication and relationship management skills in an international context, i.e. outside your home country.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

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.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.