ESA Graduate Trainee in Technology Coordination and Planning

This opportunity is for an ESA Graduate Trainee in Technology Coordination and Planning within the Technology Coordination and Planning Office (TEC-RH), part of the ESA Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC).

Our team and mission

The Technology Coordination and Planning Office (TEC-RH), within the Technology Department of the ESA Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC), leads the implementation and evolution of processes relating to technology planning and coordination across the Agency and with external stakeholders, including ESA Member States, the EU and industry.

The Office also provides support to the Director on EU matters to do with technology and general interaction with ESA Member States and industry. In doing so, the team interfaces with entities and individuals at various levels inside and outside the Agency.

The Office’s specific duties include:

• Managing the technology harmonisation process at European level, including mapping needs and capabilities and leading to roadmaps agreed by national and European institutions and industry, and monitoring their implementation.
• Acting as Chair of the Technology Harmonisation Advisory Group (IPC THAG) that advises the ESA Industrial policy Committee (IPC), an ESA delegate body.
• Providing a secretariat function to the IPC THAG and the Technology Advisory Working Group (TA-WG) of the IPC.
• Coordinating with the EU, on technology matters, including Critical Space Technologies for European Non-Dependence.
• Leading the directorate coordination with the EU, and supporting the Director for all EU related matters.
• Leading the implementation of the processes for the Agency-wide management of technology development within ESA.
• Providing the TEC directorate Liaison and Control Officer function.

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will contribute to a range of activities of the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, in particular to the:

• Coordination and Harmonisation of space technology development in Europe.
• Extensive mapping of technologies submitted for Harmonisation with ESA, national and industry experts.
• Drawing up of roadmaps and harmonised implementation schemes for discussion and agreement with ESA Member States.
• Preparation of the European Space Technology Master Plan.
• Analysis of ESA internal technology management processes.
• Evolution of the procedures, tools and databases supporting the processes coordinated by the Office.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of relevant technical/functional domains
• Relevant experience gained during internships, project work and/or extracurricular or other activities
• General knowledge of the space sector and relevant activities
• Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your master’s degree in a technical or scientific discipline, in particular systems engineering, business engineering/management, or industrial engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team. Previous experience of working in international teams can be considered an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications can only be 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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Malta as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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.