WIVERN System and Operations Manager

Join ESA as the WIVERN System and Operations Manager in the WIVERN Project within the Earth Explorer Missions Programme, Earth Observation Project Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

Description

WIVERN, WInd VElocity Radar Nephoscope, is the 11th Earth Explorer Mission and 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 system and operations aspects of WIVERN, in close cooperation with teams from other EOP departments and ESA directorates. 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.

Duties

As WIVERN System and Operations Manager, you will be in charge of ensuring and tracing WIVERN’s compliance with the applicable mission requirements, including end-to-end performance, as well as the coordination of all operations and WIVERN-specific ground segment-related activities, in close cooperation with science teams, ESRIN and ESOC.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Managing all WIVERN phase B1 activities related to system and operations, in close cooperation with other sections of the Project team, as well as with the ESOC and ESRIN teams.
• Preparing, evaluating and negotiating the WIVERN system and satellite phase B2/C/D/E1 contract procurement for all system and operations aspects, including end-to-end system performance-related activities and coordination with the WIVERN science teams.
• Leading and advising on space segment architecture and design, including identification and analysis of options, trade-offs and design drivers to ease the development phase and maintain compliance with mission requirements while ensuring the achievability of the schedule.
• Coordinating, with the WIVERN team, the system interfaces linked to the operation of the instrument, in particular software/hardware definition and verification.
• Ensuring the timely availability of all documentation and information (flight operations manuals, flight operations procedures, databases, etc.) as required to support the development of the WIVERN flight operations segment in collaboration with ESOC.
• Preparing and subsequently managing the implementation of all aspects of the satellite LEOP and commissioning phases, ensuring effective coordination between the ESA team, the industrial consortium, the ESOC and ESRIN teams, as well as the science teams.
• Defining, consolidating and maintaining the WIVERN system requirements, ensuring coherence between mission requirements and payload observation requirements in coordination with the Project team.
• Establishing a coherent and timely satellite system validation approach for the purpose of the implementation and verification of the combined satellite/ground segment operations.
• In close coordination with the ESRIN teams, coordinating and supporting the onboarding of the WIVERN ground segment into the generic EOF/EOS framework as well as the definition, development and validation of the WIVERN mission-specific ground segment elements, including the development of the ground processor precursor.
• Liaising with the Mission Advisory Group (MAG) on aspects related to system and mission requirements, end-to-end mission performance and its verification (e.g. end-to-end simulator software development, GPP, external calibration facilities) in coordination with the payload team.
• Leading all mission analysis activities, in-orbit deployment, orbit maintenance and ground station utilisation.
• Ensuring compliance with space debris mitigation, sustainability and security requirements.
• Coordinating and supporting RF interference analysis for all mission aspects, and preparing the necessary inputs to ensure compliance with ITU regulations in interaction with ESOC.
• Coordinating the needs for end-to-end system calibration with the WIVERN team and supporting the definition and development of calibration facilities in collaboration with the payload team.
• Monitoring the WIVERN mission concept in collaboration with the Project team.
• Supporting the WIVERN Project Manager for related general Project reporting tasks (weekly, monthly, risk review and QSR) and Project management task delegation when required.
• Building up and leading the WIVERN System and Operations 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

• Background in multidisciplinary space engineering with systems orientation and an end-to-end view of Earth observation missions.
• Ability to synthesize technical and programmatic information.
• Knowledge and experience of operations aspects, ground segment and end-to-end simulators.
• Experience with industrial procurement and development, verification process and conduct of reviews, including concrete experience in Phases B2/C/D/E1.

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

• 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 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.

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.