ADRIOS Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Manager

ESA’s Space Safety Programme is leading the way in the circular economy in space through the ADRIOS (Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing) missions, which aim to establish viable ADR and IOS capabilities and services in Europe, including rendezvous, inspection, capture, life extension, relocation, de-orbiting and satellite repair. These approaches support the safe use of Earth orbits for future generations, reduce space debris and promote the reuse and recycling of space assets.

The Space Safety Missions Office of the Space Safety Programme Office is responsible for implementing the ADRIOS missions, including Phase B2/C/D/E activities for missions such as RISE.

The RISE mission is an ambitious multi-year project designed to push the boundaries of in-orbit servicing. It will demonstrate Attitude Orbital Control System (AOCS) takeover of an active geostationary satellite after rendezvous and autonomous capture. Following this demonstration, RISE will service its first paying customer, highlighting the practical and commercial application of the capability in space.

The ADRIOS missions often involve companies that are relatively new to the space field and have ambitions for the private market, requiring ESA project teams to provide specific expertise and follow a pragmatic approach.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to pioneering space sustainability technologies within the Space Safety Programme, enabling the future of satellite servicing, debris mitigation and sustainable orbital operations.

Description

The ADRIOS Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) Manager will lead the AIT activities of one or several ADRIOS missions. You will be responsible for the planning, coordination and execution of all AIT activities for the spacecraft and its associated servicing payloads, ensuring readiness for launch.

You will report to the Project Manager(s) and coordinate technical experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality involved in the AIT activities.

Key responsibilities

Technical Execution (AIV/AIT)

• Define and maintain the overall AIT approach, logic and schedule led by industry for the spacecraft and associated ground support equipment, including integration flows, verification approaches, environmental test campaigns and facilities.
• Support the Technical System Lead to ensure consistency between the verification requirements and the AIT implementation.
• Ensure that the AIT activities are coordinated across multiple industrial partners and test facilities.
• Ensure timely procurement of all equipment, GSE and facilities.
• Closely monitor the production of the space segment and ground segment.
• Oversee spacecraft assembly and integration activities performed by industry at subsystem and system levels, including mechanical, electrical and functional integration processes.
• Ensure a proper spacecraft verification campaign, including functional and performance testing, environmental testing (vibration, acoustics, thermal-vacuum and EMC), system and proximity operations validation including the end-to-end guidance, navigation and control (GNC) and robotics chain relevant to rendezvous and capture, and possible verification activities specific to the customer satellite.
• Critically review test plans, procedures, facilities and test reports.
• Coordinate with the Operations Manager regarding flight operations procedures and satellite databases in relation to system-level tests, and support operations planning and execution as needed.

Technical Execution (Launch)

• Support industry for the launch service selection.
• Follow the preparation of the spacecraft for delivery to the launch site.
• Participate in launch campaign activities including final functional checks, fuelling operations and integration with the launch vehicle.

Management

• Support the Project Manager(s) in relation to risk identification and mitigation.
• Support the Project Manager(s) in relation to schedule management, contribute to schedule control and propose recovery actions when needed.
• Identify and prioritise points for attention and report regularly to the Project Manager(s).
• Apply pragmatic decision-making processes to balance ideal solutions with project constraints.
• Agree on a suitable approach to apply ESA standards (ECSS) relating to integration and testing activities.
• Support and coordinate with the mission Product Assurance Manager to fulfil mission product assurance requirements.
• Support anomaly resolution, non-conformance management and change management, and put in place early recovery actions when necessary.
• Participate actively in reviews.
• Lead technical experts from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
• Provide guidelines to industry relevant to all integration and test activities.
• Share experience and knowledge with industry in a constructive and result-oriented manner.
• Capture and share lessons learned with other missions of the Division.

Technical competencies

• More than 10 years of hands-on experience in spacecraft development, with significant involvement in AIT and spacecraft verification.
• Experience in managing complex spacecraft integration and testing campaigns and in delivery within cost and schedule.
• Experience in launch campaigns.
• Experience of working with large industrial consortiums.
• Experience in technical management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews.
• Experience in risk management of complex projects.
• Good knowledge of ECSS standards and verification methodologies.

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in engineering or a related field is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Experience with:

• implementing missions with tight schedule and low price constraints;
• taking a pragmatic approach to applying the ECSS;
• large platforms, especially for GEO (e.g. telecommunications platforms).

You should also:

• have an interest in working with companies that are relatively new in the space field;
• be capable of working autonomously, using initiative and taking a hands-on approach;
• show strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• demonstrate flexibility in dealing with day-to-day operational challenges, as well as strong planning and organisational skills;
• be able to anticipate problems and demonstrate flexibility to seek solutions and make pragmatic and timely decisions;
• be result-oriented with the ability to set priorities.

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

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.