Ground Segment and User Terminal Procurement Coordinator

Reporting to the D2D Mission Procurement Manager, you will coordinate the definition, development, integration, validation and operational readiness of the ground segment, including user terminals and software elements, facilitating commercial services supporting the ESA D2D Partnership Projects including ELEOSYS and SELYCE.

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) presents one of the greatest potential growth opportunities in satellite communications. The objective of the D2D partnership projects is to design, develop, qualify, integrate and validate innovative satellite payload, platform and ground network technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions in a pre-operational system showcasing emerging D2D services.

Description

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Leading all engineering activities related to the procurement, specification, design, development, qualification, acceptance and validation of the ground segment elements, within the agreed schedule, cost and technical requirements, including implementation of the applicable security requirements.
• Leading the engineering, manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing activities of the overall ground segment, including the organisation and management of ground segment reviews.
• Overseeing the transfer of ground segment systems to operations and supporting commissioning and routine operational phases, as well as evolutive maintenance and correction of in-orbit anomalies.
• Ensuring consistency of requirements with detailed subsystem design, performance budgets and architectural choices.
• Ensuring correct application of ESA, international and national standards.
• Interfacing with industry counterparts to review contractors’ plans, system specifications, baseline system design, analyses and budgets, as well as implementation of activities.
• Interfacing with industry counterparts to review contractors’ trade-offs, design drivers, technical and performance indicators, as well as internal and external system interfaces.
• Supporting ESA mission/system level reviews and contributing to subsystem and cross-partner reviews.
• Representing the discipline in reviews, milestones and cross functional coordination meetings.
• Ensuring close coordination and support with other project team members and functions, including Product Assurance and Safety, Mission, Platform and Payload.
• Processing non-conformances, software problem reports, waivers, deviations, requests for approval, anomalies and requirement closure data, as well as supporting the evaluation of change notices within these terms of reference.
• Contributing to the ESA procurement process, including requests for quotation/invitations to tender data pack, Technical Evaluation Board and negotiations.
• Monitoring proactively the overall project schedule, identifying risks and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions on both the industry and the ESA side.
• Identifying challenges and opportunities associated with system evolutions and proposing corresponding updates to the mission architecture and interfaces.
• Providing regular and ad hoc reporting to line management.
• Contributing to the project’s communication and promotion activities.

Technical competencies

• Several years of experience in satellite communications systems specification, design, development, verification and end-to-end validation, ideally in the area of satellite constellations.
• Several years of experience in ground network architecture and software for LEO telecommunication satellites.
• Knowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control.

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 (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered.

Additional requirements

• Experience of working in a cross-functional team and in promoting innovation through a creative collaboration process.
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to understand, and to clearly and concisely communicate complex technical issues to the team and external parties.
• Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications prime contractor and/or operator would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience with ESA’s Partnership Projects would be an asset.

Important Information and Disclaimer

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.

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, 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.