Next Generation Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 Optical Missions Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer

Lead End-to-end Performance Engineer for Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 Optical Missions

Description

Lead End-to-end Performance Engineer for the Copernicus Sentinel-2 (multi-spectral high-resolution optical observations of land and coastal waters) and Sentinel-3 (medium-resolution visible and infrared imaging) missions.

The assignment covers the activities relating to phases D/E1 for both Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 first generation satellites, and phases A/B1/C/D/E1 of the Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 next generation optical satellites.

You will report to the relevant System Managers on all technical and programmatic matters and will work within the relevant project teams.

You will lead the Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 end-to-end system performance activities from a technical point of view, managing the in-flight performance verification for the first generation satellites, comprising Sentinel-2D, Sentinel-3C and Sentinel-3D, and the complete cycle of end-to-end system performance for the next generation satellites (S2 NG and S3 NGO), monitoring their evolution during the development phase and supporting their in-flight verification and validation until the completion of the in-orbit commissioning activities.

In coordination with the System Managers, you will interface with the Flight Operations Segment and the Ground Segment to ensure proper coordination of operations- and Ground Segment-related matters.

You will interface with and receive support from other engineers working on the projects, as well as benefiting from specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

Duties

Your main tasks and responsibilities will be adapted to each project and will include:

• managing, in coordination with the project team, the end-to-end performance requirements, including allocation to subsystems, performance budgets and performance models, in line with mission requirements and the Space Segment design;
• interfacing with payload managers supporting the development aspects relating to payload performance and product definitions in the framework of the end-to-end system performance;
• coordinating the preparation and execution of the calibration and characterisation, as well as the payload science and ancillary data processing, both for pre-flight activities and during in-flight commissioning;
• establishing and maintaining, in coordination with the System Managers, the end-to-end architecture and operations concept in line with mission requirements and the Space Segment design;
• interfacing with the Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment teams, including external institutional partners such as EUMETSAT and other partners, for example calibration/validation teams, to coordinate the definition and implementation of the on-ground system validation test and the in-flight commissioning performance verification activities;
• monitoring the end-to-end data flow through the instrument/payload and spacecraft subsystems;
• interfacing with the Mission Scientist for the maintenance and evolution of mission requirements and the operations concept;
• supporting the System Managers in reporting the system-related aspects of the mission to the Mission Advisory Groups (MAG);
• supporting the System Managers for the technical interface between ESA and partner organisations, leading dedicated activities and/or working groups when necessary;
• providing regular reporting to project management on all aspects of competence, identifying risks and problem areas and proposing mitigation actions where appropriate;
• contributing to the management of the schedule and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions;
• following up programmatic aspects as delegated by the System Managers;
• coordinating specialised engineering support from D/TEC in the relevant areas under your responsibility.

The tasks and activities assigned may differ between Sentinel-2 NG and Sentinel-3 NGO depending on the phase and the organisation of the project team.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence.

Technical competencies

• Multidisciplinary knowledge of your area of responsibility, in particular optical instruments and the associated data processing chain
• Experience in performance requirement definition, budget maintenance and consequent verification of optical missions
• Experience in satellite in-orbit commissioning and performance verification methodologies, including calibration and validation of in-flight performance
• Knowledge and experience of Ground Segment and early operations
• Experience in project environment working on procurement and monitoring of industrial activities
• Knowledge of ESA and Industrial standards for space system development, verification and Product Assurance

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

Specific expertise in optical engineering and/or end-to-end simulator development for optical missions is considered an asset.

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.