Mission and Payload Manager

Mission and Payload Manager at ESA

Description

PLATO Mission and Payload Manager.

PLATO is the third medium-sized mission of the European Space Agency’s Cosmic Vision science programme and is devoted to the search for and characterisation of exoplanets around Sun-like stars in their habitable zone.

Duties

You will be in charge of the overall PLATO mission performance, the development of the science ground segment, the payload interfaces and the management and coordination of the PLATO mission consortium concerning the development of the instrument (hardware element).

Your duties will include the following:

• Ensuring coherency of mission science requirements and mission requirements;
• Managing the verification of mission performance requirements and budgets;
• Defining and supervising the interfaces of the science space segment with ESA’s Science Operations Centre (SOC);
• Monitoring the progress of the PLATO science ground segment software development, including ground data processing pipelines and associated algorithm definition/validation, relevant instrument simulators, quick look systems, the call for proposal system and mission planning systems;
• Monitoring and supporting the ESA SOC-led ground segment test campaigns up to launch;
• Managing system commissioning of the overall mission together with the Spacecraft Engineering Section;
• Supporting project representation at Steering Committee and Science Working Team level.

Payload level:

• Ensuring that the payload space segment requirements, as derived from mission and spacecraft requirements, are properly implemented and verified;
• Analysing and managing the payload space segment system and subsystems together with their operational constraints in terms of their impact on the spacecraft system design;
• Contributing to the management of the interfaces between the spacecraft and the payload module, endorsing interface changes, and approving any instrument changes;
• Managing the payload design and verification approach of hardware and associated software and mathematical models for delivery to the prime contractor as customer-furnished equipment;
• Ensuring the verification of all requirements pertaining to the operation of the instruments and the calibration;
• Managing the consortium for the procurement of the payload element, ensuring timely availability of the payload within the overall mission and project constraints;
• Managing the procurement and related contract closures of the payload elements that are directly procured by ESA;
• Monitoring and allocating the budget for the management of the payload consortium under delegation by the Project Manager, who has budget responsibility for the entire PLATO project;
• Supporting the PL integration and verification activities at spacecraft level under the lead of the PLATO AIT and Launcher Manager and in coordination with the Spacecraft Engineering Manager.

Other tasks:

• Assigning performance objectives and assessing the performance of Section members, and motivating the team to ensure commitment towards project goals as part of your team management responsibilities;
• Participation in other tasks of the project, Projects Department or other directorates as requested.

In the execution of your tasks, as PLATO Mission and Payload Manager, you will lead and motivate a team of engineers and cooperate closely with the other project team members in the Spacecraft and AIT Teams.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

• Experience in mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations
• Experience in managing scientific space hardware developments with multiple interfaces, including PI, scientific consortiums, projects and industry
• Experience in satellite in-orbit commissioning and performance verification methodologies
• Capability to evaluate performance at mission level
• Systems engineering

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• The potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting;
• The ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• 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;
• A strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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.

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 via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

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

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.