WIVERN Payload Manager

Join the WIVERN Project in the Earth Explorer Missions Programme within the Earth Observation Project Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, as Payload Manager.

In the Earth Explorer Missions Programme within the Earth Observation Project Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, you will serve as WIVERN Payload Manager in the WIVERN Project.

WIVERN, WInd VElocity Radar Nephoscope, is the 11th Earth Explorer Mission. It is designed to deliver the first global observations of the three-dimensional wind field, along with associated cloud and precipitation structures, across a wide range of atmospheric phenomena. In addition, it will provide valuable observations of sea ice and snow, as well as ocean surface currents. These observations will address critical gaps in the current global observation system.

At the heart of the mission is a conically scanning 94 GHz Doppler radar, which operates from a 500 km near-polar orbit. With a 3 metre conically scanning antenna, the mission will sample across an 800 km swath, with vertical resolution of 600 metres and horizontal resolution of approximately 1 kilometre. With near-daily global coverage, WIVERN will enable the measurement of in-cloud winds from the surface to the upper stratosphere.

You will report to the WIVERN Project Manager within the Earth Observation Programmes Department. You will be responsible for managing the implementation (Phases B1/B2/C/D/E1) of the WIVERN payload. You will be in charge of functionally leading and coordinating support from other engineers working on the project, as well as specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Description

As WIVERN Payload Manager, you will be in charge of the WIVERN payload development, i.e. the conically scanning 94 GHz Doppler Radar. You will be responsible for payload design, development and verification, including the coordination of all payload engineering disciplines within the WIVERN project.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the payload-related Phase B industrial technology predevelopment procurement to ensure TRL6 achievement on time for the satellite PDR milestone;
• preparing, evaluating and negotiating the Phases B2/C/D/E1 procurement of the WIVERN payload and the Phases B/2/C/D/E1 procurement of the complete WIVERN satellite for the payload aspects and the interfaces with the satellite;
• completing Phases B/2/C/D/E1 (design, development and commissioning) of the WIVERN payload, ensuring consistency with the specifications and the timely availability of the flight hardware;
• monitoring the payload procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any payload-related non-conformance or anomaly and coordinating appropriate expert support;
• in coordination with the system and spacecraft engineering teams, consolidating and maintaining the instrument requirements, ensuring coherence with the mission requirements and constraints;
• in coordination with the system and spacecraft engineering teams, consolidating and maintaining the payload interface requirements, ensuring consistency of satellite interfaces with payload needs;
• ensuring that the operability of the payload is fully compatible with the overall WIVERN satellite operations, observability and availability requirements in coordination with the WIVERN System Manager;
• ensuring the consistency of the design, testing and performances of the WIVERN payload with mission needs;
• monitoring AIV/AIT activities at payload equipment and payload level to ensure the proper and timely conduct of all payload AIT activities;
• ensuring the timely availability of all payload design, interface data and associated operations documentation and databases, consistent with the overall satellite needs;
• supporting the payload aspects of the other sections of the WIVERN project as regards the interface with the Mission Advisory Group (e.g. payload performance and specific calibration needs);
• coordinating with the other sections within the WIVERN project to ensure compliance with space debris mitigation requirements as regards payload aspects (e.g. design for demise);
• monitoring the payload development risks and defining and managing the implementation of mitigation;
• in close collaboration with the Product Assurance Manager, ensuring compliance with PA and safety processes and standards;
• coordinating with the WIVERN system team the needs for payload calibration, and monitoring the calibration implementation;
• supporting the WIVERN Project Manager for related general Project reporting tasks (weekly, monthly, risk review, QSR) and Project management task delegation when required;
• building up and leading the payload team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks, objectives and priorities as well as the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment (including training needs), ensuring the team’s motivation and commitment to the Project's goals.

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

Technical competencies

• Experience of managing technical interfaces between payload and platform, both within an ESA project team environment and in an industrial consortium
• Experience with industrial procurement and the development of payloads, verification processes and the conduct of reviews, including concrete experience in Phases B2/C/D/E1
• Knowledge of microwave radar payload design and development
• 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 discipline 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

You should have in-depth experience of the management of payload development activities and of industrial contracts. Specific expertise with microwave radar instruments would be an asset.

• The potential to manage individuals or a team in a project or R&D setting;
• The ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• Strong results 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.
• People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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

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.