Secure Connectivity Lead Space Segment Engineer (2 posts)

Secure Connectivity Lead Space Segment Engineers work within the Secure Connectivity Satellite Platform Section in the Secure Connectivity Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, hereinafter referred to as Secure Connectivity, is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractor(s) delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.

Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Satellite Platform Section, you will be responsible for tasks relating to the design, development and deployment of the satellite platform of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment. One of the two positions will be responsible for tasks relating to the design, development and deployment of the satellite platform of the Secure Connectivity Low LEO Space Segment.

Description

Reporting to the Head of the Secure Connectivity Satellite Platform Section, you will be responsible for tasks relating to the design, development and deployment of the satellite platform of the Secure Connectivity Space Segment. One of the two positions will be responsible for tasks relating to the design, development and deployment of the satellite platform of the Secure Connectivity Low LEO Space Segment.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to managing engineering activities for the design, development, qualification, acceptance and validation of satellites/platforms within the Secure Connectivity Space Segment, adhering to agreed schedule, cost and technical requirements, including applicable security measures.
• Supporting engineering, manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing (AIT/AIV) activities relating to the satellite platform, including organising satellite-/platform-level reviews.
• Consolidating and maintaining the requirements specification, design, development, testing and verification of satellite/platform subsystems and equipment.
• Monitoring industrial work for the procurement of satellite platform and ground support equipment, ensuring full compliance with technical and programmatic requirements.
• Monitoring and ensuring the execution of all relevant satellite platform-related industrial activities and ensuring that the design meets project requirements.
• Contributing to managing system satellite budgets within your areas of responsibility.
• Supporting the analysis of satellite-/platform-related requests for changes, waivers and deviations, as well as non-conformances, anomalies and alerts, contributing to relevant analyses at the Space Segment and system level as required.
• Monitoring industrial launch preparations and coordinating in-flight spacecraft commissioning and verification activities in collaboration with project and ground teams as necessary.
• Supporting the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), commissioning, in-orbit test (IOT) campaigns and satellite operations for satellite-/platform-related aspects, as well as evolutive maintenance and the correction of in-orbit anomalies.
• Providing regular reports to project management, identifying technical risk areas and proposing and monitoring mitigation measures.
• Contributing to managing the schedule and proposing schedule risk mitigation actions.
• Supporting the Head of Section in coordinating specialised engineering support.
• Potential delegated responsibility from project management in relation to programmatic aspects.

Technical competencies

• Experience in the design, development and testing of communication satellites and platforms.
• Experience of managing and monitoring industrial work.
• Experience of multi-agency cooperative projects.
• Experience with risk management processes.
• Knowledge of ESA space system development and PA standards.

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 or scientific 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 years of relevant professional experience, can be considered.

Additional requirements

• 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.

The following are assets for this position:

• Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and operator.
• Experience in public-private partnership projects.
• Experience of public speaking and the ability to conceptualise complex ideas.
• Experience working on projects with a security dimension.

Important information

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 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.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.