Next Generation Gravity Mission Payload Manager

Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) Payload Manager at ESA

Description

The NGGM Payload Manager will work within the NGGM Project, part of the Earth Explorer Mission Programme in the Projects Department of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

Following the success of the GRACE and GOCE missions, ESA and NASA have established international cooperation to jointly develop an Earth gravity monitoring mission, forming the Mass Change and Geosciences International Constellation (MAGIC). The Next Generation Gravity Mission (NGGM) is ESA’s contribution to the ESA-NASA MAGIC constellation and is currently undergoing the Phase B system design consolidation study as a mission of opportunity within the FutureEO-1 programme.

The objective of MAGIC is to provide long-term, accurate monitoring of the temporal variations of Earth’s gravity field at high resolution in time (down to three days) and in space. MAGIC will observe Earth mass change and reinforce services in hydrology, cryosphere, oceanography, solid Earth, climate change, and geodesy. The observables are the variations of the distance between two satellites, measured by a laser interferometer with sub-nanometre precision, and non-gravitational accelerations, to be separated from the gravity signal in the data processing, measured by accelerometers on each satellite.

MAGIC will be composed of two pairs of satellites. The first pair, P1 (i.e. GRACE-C), is being implemented through a US-German fast-paced cooperation programme, maximising heritage from GRACE-FO to ensure continuity of observations. The second pair of satellites, P2 (i.e. NGGM), is to be implemented by ESA in cooperation with NASA for science, exchange of data between both pairs, and generation of combined MAGIC Level 2 and Level 3 products. P2 will provide strong enhancement of the quality of the observations from both pairs and will be launched in an inclined orbit at an altitude of 400km to form a quasi-Bender constellation, with a target launch date that will enable maintenance of at least four years of combined operations with GRACE-C.

Each satellite will embark:

• An optical instrument for precise interferometric inter-satellite laser ranging and Line of Sight (LoS) tracking
• Three ultra-sensitive electro-static accelerometers
• A precise orbit determination package including a GNSS instrument and laser retro-reflectors
• A complex electrical propulsion system made of RF ion thrusters, hollow cathode neutralisers, RF generators, and flow control units to enable drag-free AOCS, compensating for atmospheric drag
• A set of linear cold gas thrusters for attitude and orbit control

The NGGM Payload Manager will report to the NGGM Project Manager and 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 (D/TEC).

Duties

The NGGM Payload Manager will be responsible for the development of the two NGGM payloads: the laser tracking instrument (LTI) for precise interferometric inter-satellite distance measurement and the highly accurate electrostatic MicroSTAR accelerometer (ACC) to measure non-gravitational accelerations. This includes responsibility for the payloads’ design, development, and verification, as well as coordination of all engineering disciplines within the NGGM project.

Your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• Leading the Phase B industrial predevelopment procurement of the LTI and ACC payloads under direct ESA contract to ensure TRL6 achievement on time for the Satellite PDR milestone
• Preparing, evaluating, and negotiating the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the LTI and ACC payloads and the B2CDE1 phase procurement of the complete NGGM satellites for the payload aspects and the interfaces with the satellites
• Completing the B2CDE1 phases (design, development, and commissioning) of the LTI and ACC payloads, ensuring consistency with the specifications and the timely availability of the flight hardware for the two spacecrafts
• Monitoring the payload procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any payload-related non-conformance or anomaly, and coordinating appropriate expert support
• In coordination with the System and Spacecraft Engineering Teams, consolidating and maintaining the instrument requirements, ensuring coherence with the mission requirements and constraints
• In coordination with the System and Spacecraft Engineering Teams, consolidating and maintaining the payload interface requirements, ensuring consistency of satellite interfaces with payload needs
• Ensuring that the operability of the payloads is fully compatible with the overall NGGM satellite operations, observability, and availability requirements in coordination with the NGGM System Manager
• Ensuring consistency of the design, testing, and performances of the LTI and ACC instruments with mission needs
• Monitoring AIV/AIT activities at payload equipment and payload level to ensure the proper and timely conduct of all payload AIT activities
• Ensuring the timely availability of all payload design, interface data, and associated operations documentation and databases in accordance with the overall satellite needs
• Supporting the payload aspects of the other sections of the NGGM project in respect of the interface with the Mission Advisory Group, in relation to payload performance and specific calibration needs
• Coordinating with the other sections within the NGGM project to ensure compliance with space debris mitigation requirements with respect to payload aspects, such as design for demise
• Monitoring the payload development risks and the implementation of mitigation actions
• In close collaboration with the Product Assurance Manager, ensuring compliance with PA and Safety processes and standards
• Coordinating, with the NGGM System Team, the needs for payload calibration, and monitoring the execution of calibration
• Supporting the NGGM Project Manager for relevant general project reporting tasks (weekly and monthly reporting, risk reviews, and QSRs) and delegating tasks when required
• Supporting the build-up of the Payload Team and subsequently leading the Team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks and objectives and the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment, including training needs, ensuring that the Team is motivated and committed to the project's goal

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing, and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

• Experience of managing technical interfaces between payload and platform, both within an ESA project team environment and for the industrial consortium
• Experience with industrial procurement and payload development, as well as the verification process and the conduct of reviews, including concrete experience in B2CDE1
• Knowledge of laser and/or complex AOCS sensing payload design drivers
• Knowledge of ESA Space system development and PA standards

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should have in-depth experience of the management of payload development activities and of industrial contracts. Specific expertise with laser and/or complex AOCS sensing instruments would be an asset.

You should also have:

• The potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting
• The ability to organise individual and team 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
• A strong result 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 is required. International experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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.

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

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.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.