Secure Connectivity Lead Mission System Engineer for Preparatory Activities

In the ESA Secure Connectivity System Office in the Secure Connectivity Programme Department of the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, you will work as Secure Connectivity Lead Mission System Engineer for Preparatory Activities.

The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided by it. The ESA Secure Connectivity System Office is responsible for the follow-up of the system design and development for IRIS², including the evolutions of the system.

The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity includes activities to prepare the evolution of the EU IRIS² system. In the context of ERS (European Resilience System), the activity will include defining the enhancements of the EU IRIS² system services and functionality that will enable it to serve as a system-of-systems communication backbone (trusted transport layer) for future European governmental initiatives and needs.

Reporting to the Head of the ESA Secure Connectivity System Office, you will be responsible for all system engineering tasks to support the effective design and development of the ERS system of systems, including the necessary IRIS² evolutions as the ERS trusted transport layer. You will work at various levels: the ERS system level to define the functional and logical architecture of the system of systems, in close cooperation with the Directorates of Navigation and Earth Observation Programmes; and the IRIS² system level to ensure consistency in the architecture flow-down and required evolutions of the secure connectivity layer.

Description

• Manage and coordinate all multidomain ERS system-level engineering activities, targeting the definition of the overall system-of-systems architecture and requirements.
• Define the necessary evolutions in IRIS² to become the trusted transport layer of ERS with the desired functional, performance, operational, service and security requirements.
• Follow up the system-level phase A/B1/B2 studies up to the system-level preliminary design review (PDR); this PDR will have as the initial system reference the inputs of the PDR for the EU IRIS² system.
• Lead the technical evaluation of prospective mission evolution scenarios, in alignment with the European Commission, ESA Member State delegations and industry.
• Support the definition of a robust development roadmap for the implementation of the ERS system of systems based on the different building blocks (navigation, Earth observation and telecommunications).
• Coordinate the definition of the transport layer within the ERS-EO in-orbit demonstrators.
• Assess the end-to-end performances of the future system of systems by integrating simulators of the IRIS² trusted transport layer and other components (LEO PNT, ERS-EO).
• Support the definition of the security architecture applicable to all the elements of ERS and ensure that it is coherent with the system-of-systems design.
• Define and implement, or support implementation if developed under an existing programme, technology developments required to support the development of the transport layer of the system, assess industrial and technological supply chain vulnerabilities and define corrective actions.
• Prepare and implement all engineering and R&D activities directly relating to the development and implementation of the transport layer of the system.
• Manage system-level reviews related to ERS Secure Connectivity.
• Coordinate closely with the other ERS components (navigation and Earth observation) and with other offices in the Secure Connectivity department (space, ground, security and product assurance).
• Coordinate closely with the IRIS² system architecture and system validation teams to ensure coherence in the system evolutions.
• Coordinate closely with the European Commission for the implementation of the system of systems as part of the EU space programme.

Technical competencies

• Experience in the design and implementation of large distributed space systems, with a strong security focus and security constraints.
• Experience in the implementation of large multidomain space programmes or projects, ideally in the areas of telecommunications, Earth observation or satellite navigation.
• Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge of system-of-systems architecture, the definition of the related technical requirements and on-ground and in-orbit validation activities.
• Knowledge of and experience in system architecting in large, complex projects and teams, including security aspects.
• Extensive experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including technical and contractual negotiations, and management of technical reviews.

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 discipline is required for this post together with 4 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

• Experience in working with a telecommunications system prime company and/or operator is desirable.
• Experience in working in secure/dual-use environments or projects is highly desirable.
• You should be able to demonstrate that you can handle pressure and conflict as may typically occur in a project team.
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
• Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing.

Important information

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.

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.