Technology R&D Engineer

Technology R&D Engineer within the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, Technology Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (TEC).

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, you will contribute to the implementation and evolution of processes that support planning and coordination on technology, both across the Agency and with external stakeholders, including ESA Member States, the EU and industry. You will also provide support on EU-related technology matters and general interaction with ESA Member States and industry, with particular attention to supporting the establishment of common approaches across the Directorate. In doing so, you will interface with persons at various levels inside and outside the Agency.

Duties

You will contribute to the work of the Technology Coordination and Planning Office whose roles and responsibilities include:

• managing the Technology Harmonisation process at European level, mapping needs and capabilities with a view to devising technology roadmaps agreed by national and European institutions and industry, as well as monitoring implementation;
• providing secretariat services for the two technology advisory groups reporting to the ESA Industrial Policy Committee (IPC), namely the Technology Harmonisation Advisory Group (IPC THAG) and the Technology Advisory Working Group (IPC TA-WG);
• acting as Chair of the IPC THAG;
• leading the coordination with the EU on a broad range of technology matters;
• representing ESA in the Joint Task Force with the European Commission and the European Defence Agency on Critical Space Technologies for European Non-Dependence;
• leading the overall TEC coordination with the EU, and supporting the Director of TEC for all EU-related matters;
• leading the implementation of the processes for the Agency-wide management of technology development within ESA;
• providing secretariat services for ESA’s internal Technology Coordination Forum;
• fulfilling the role of Liaison and Control Officer for TEC, including liaising with the IPC secretariat for procurement papers prepared by TEC.

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of the ESA institutional framework, and of the European space sector in general (institutional, commercial and/or industrial aspects)
• Understanding of ESA’s core business and structures and relationship with other space agencies
• Understanding of space systems and technology
• Experience in technology management and/or project management
• Deep understanding of the ESA-led technology harmonisation process and its stakeholders
• Deep understanding of EU Framework Programmes and space technology activities

Behavioural competencies

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

Education and professional experience

A master's degree in engineering, technology management or technical sciences is required for this post together with 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Experience of working in a variety of environments, including industry and/or on international projects, would be an asset.
• Solid communication skills, with the ability to interface and network with people at all levels.
• You should demonstrate strong self-motivation.
• Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
• 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.
• 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.