EO Future Mission End-to-End Performance System Engineer

EO Future Mission End-to-End Performance System Engineer at ESA

Description

Earth Observation (EO) Future Mission End-to-End Performance System Engineer in the Mission and System Studies Section, Future Missions and Instruments Division, Future Missions and Architecture Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP).

Reporting to the Head of the Mission and System Studies Section in the Future Missions and Instruments Division, you will be involved in the end-to-end preparation of EO missions through appropriate engineering activities. You will work in close cooperation with staff within this and other D/EOP divisions, notably Earth and Mission Science, and interact with EO users, such as Scientific Mission Advisory Groups.

Duties

Your responsibilities will include some or all of the following:

• defining, negotiating, initiating and managing industrial activities related to end-to-end performance simulators (EEPS) for pre-Phase A and mission/architecture studies for FutureEO missions;
• defining, negotiating, initiating and managing EEPS-related industrial activities for Phase A for FutureEO missions not yet approved for implementation (in particular for Earth Explorers and Missions of Opportunity), leading the simulation campaigns to provide input for the Report for Mission Assessment and User Consultation Meetings, ensuring the handover to the Project Department after approval;
• defining, negotiating, initiating and managing EEPS-related industrial activities during the preparatory phases of Scouts mission, ensuring the handover to the Project Department after approval;
• acting as the focal point for EEPS development for all FutureEO missions, including the technical coordination of a small team of engineers;
• helping ensure the technical coherence and completeness of space segment observation system models to be used in pre-phase A and phase A system studies in the development of the EEPS;
• ensuring the consistent maintenance and evolution of the EO EEPS developed during pre-Phase A and Phase A activities;
• initiating and conducting work in the modelling of EEPS (scene generators, geometry module, spacecraft, payload, forward and retrieval algorithms, level 0 to level 1 algorithms, etc.);
• initiating and conducting the development of generic building blocks and modules for EEPS, aiming for maximum synergy and reuse of those building blocks and modules from one E2E simulator to the next;
• participating in industrial activities including pre-Phase A and mission/architecture studies for FutureEO missions and Phase A for missions not yet approved for implementation, supporting the handover to the Project Department after approval;
• initiating and performing internal studies to assess the results of industrial activities;
• defining and updating the specifications of the EEPS throughout the preparatory phases of EO missions, in close cooperation with the Earth and Mission Science Division and the relevant Scientific Mission Advisory Groups, supporting the establishment of mission requirements and deriving system requirements that are traceable to those mission requirements as well as to user needs;
• ensuring the technical coherence of the specifications and functionality of the EEPS and the specifications defined in the Mission Requirements Document, System Requirements Document or Mission Assumptions and Technical Requirements;
• helping evaluate industrial and scientific proposals, in particular for Earth Explorers, Scout missions and Missions of Opportunity;
• helping prepare scientific and technical dossiers on ESA EO missions;
• supporting InCubed proposal evaluation and the follow-up of EO upstream activities.

Technical competencies

• Experience in the development of end-to-end mission performance simulation for EO missions
• Knowledge of optical and/or microwave remote sensing techniques and an understanding of EO user needs
• Knowledge of programming languages (e.g. Python)
• Background in space engineering with EO end-to-end system performance orientation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree or PhD in engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• You will be expected to contribute to a dynamic and creative environment in preparatory phases of EO missions.
• You should have good interpersonal skills and be able to work, coordinate and interact with small teams as well as autonomously.
• At least six years of relevant experience in the preparation and/or development of space missions are required.
• Experience of working in a team or project environment is desirable.
• Familiarity with EO spaceborne instrumentation and system performance evaluation is desirable.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

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.