NGGM Project Manager

This role is for an NGGM Project Manager within ESA’s Earth Observation Programmes, contributing to MAGIC (Mass change And Geosciences International Constellation), an ESA-NASA international cooperation for long-term, accurate monitoring of temporal variations of Earth’s gravity field at high resolution in time and space.

Following the successes of the GRACE and GOCE missions, ESA and NASA established an international cooperation to jointly develop an Earth gravity monitoring mission and create what is today referred to as MAGIC — the "Mass change And Geosciences International Constellation". The Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) is ESA's contribution to the ESA-NASA MAGIC constellation, and is currently preparing the start of phase B2 as a mission of opportunity within the FutureEO-1 Programme.

The objective of MAGIC is the long-term accurate monitoring of the temporal variations of Earth's gravity field at high resolution in time and in space. MAGIC will observe Earth’s mass change and strengthen services in hydrology, cryosphere, oceanography, solid Earth, climate change and geodesy. The observables are the variations of the distance between two satellites, measured by a laser interferometer with sub-nanometre precision, and non-gravitational accelerations, to be separated from the gravity signal in the data processing, measured by accelerometers on each satellite.

MAGIC will be composed of two pairs of satellites. The first pair, P1 (GRACE-C), is being implemented via a US-German fast-paced cooperation programme, maximising heritage from GRACE-FO, to ensure continuity of the observations. The second pair of satellites, P2 (NGGM), is to be implemented by ESA, in cooperation with NASA for science, the exchange of data between both pairs and the generation of combined MAGIC Level-2 and Level-3 products. P2 will provide strong enhancement of the quality of the observations from both pairs and will be launched in an inclined orbit at 400km altitude to form a "quasi Bender" constellation, with a target launch date making it possible to maintain at least four years of combined operations with GRACE-C.

Each satellite will fly:

• an optical instrument for precise interferometric intersatellite laser ranging and Line of Sight (LoS) tracking;
• three ultra-sensitive electro-static accelerometers;
• a precise orbit determination package including a GNSS instrument and laser retro-reflectors;
• a complex electrical propulsion system made of RF ion thrusters, hollow cathode neutralisers, RF generators and flow control units to allow a drag free AOCS compensating for atmospheric drag; and
• a set of linear cold gas thrusters for attitude and orbit control.

You will report to the Earth Explorer Missions Programme Manager in the Earth Observation Programmes Department. You will be responsible for managing the NGGM implementation (Phases B2/C/D/E1), covering space and ground segments.

Description

Duties

Your specific responsibilities and duties will include:

• responsibility for the end-to-end procurement and technical management of the Next Generation Gravity Mission Project within the agreed technical specification, cost and schedule;
• management of the industrial contract(s) related to your area of responsibility, and interfacing with industry for all project matters;
• representation of the project, and associated reporting, to ESA technical authorities (such as the Inspector General, audit, frequency coordination, the Security Office, or the Independent Safety Office), the Mission Advisory Group and ESA delegate bodies (DOSTAG and the IPC);
• interfacing with international partners as part of the MAGIC implementation;
• management of the NGGM ESA Project Teams and associated support from the Directorates of Earth Observation Programmes; Technology, Engineering and Quality; Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness; and Operations, ensuring that all appropriate information is available to all Project participants, such that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework.

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

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of Space system development and PA standards
• Knowledge of space projects, including instrumentation and operations
• Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes
• Knowledge of industrial costs and schedule aspects
• Delivery of complex projects within cost and schedule
• Complex project risk management 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 scientific/engineering domain is required for this post together with 10 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment;
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Project and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required and international experience would be an asset, including outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities. Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

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.

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.