Copernicus & DestinE EO Data Architect

Job Posting Organization:
The European Space Agency (ESA) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space. Established in 1975, ESA has grown to include 22 member states and operates across various countries in Europe. The agency's mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA is involved in numerous space missions, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and satellite navigation, and employs thousands of professionals across various disciplines.

Job Overview:
The position of EO Data Architect within the Copernicus Ground Segment Systems Section is crucial for the effective management and operational success of the Copernicus Sentinels missions. The role focuses on the optimization of data architecture to facilitate the efficient use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in processing and analyzing vast amounts of Earth observation data. The EO Data Architect will be responsible for defining and evolving the data architecture that supports the extraction of actionable information from climate-related data and geospatial datasets. This includes designing EO data pipelines that enable efficient data collection, transformation, and access for AI and ML workflows. The architect will also contribute to the future development of Copernicus missions and ensure that the data management architecture is capable of supporting innovative operational services for users.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The EO Data Architect will have a diverse set of responsibilities, including:

• Driving the definition and evolution of the Copernicus Sentinels data architecture to optimize the extraction of actionable information from various datasets.
• Designing and specifying EO data pipelines for efficient collection, transformation, and access to Copernicus datasets for AI and ML workflows.
• Managing the implementation of these pipelines through procurement activities.
• Contributing to the future definition of EO data architecture for upcoming Copernicus missions and managing associated procurement activities.
• Supporting the operational activities of Copernicus Sentinels missions and data management.
• Shaping and optimizing the big data management architecture to foster innovative services for users.
• Providing expertise on Copernicus EO data and advanced analytics, leading initiatives to optimize data handling in cloud-based and HPC environments, particularly for simulation and AI applications.
• Supporting the development of a sustainable ecosystem of data management and modeling services for user exploitation activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in Earth observation, data architecture, and AI/ML. They should demonstrate familiarity with satellite missions, sensors, and EO data processing algorithms. Knowledge of geospatial data formats, metadata, and interoperability standards is essential. Candidates should also have experience with scalable data architectures for big data frameworks and cloud-native technologies, as well as competence in distributed computing frameworks such as Apache Spark and Dask. Additionally, experience with AI/ML models and EO data analytics is required.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in a relevant engineering subject is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in engineering principles, data management, and Earth observation technologies, equipping candidates with the necessary skills to excel in this role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of their master's degree. This experience should ideally encompass work in the Earth observation domain, data architecture, and the application of AI and ML techniques in data analysis and processing.

Languages:
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another language from an ESA Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively within the diverse environment of ESA.

Additional Notes:
This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of four years, which may be extended up to a maximum of eight years based on performance and organizational needs. The position is classified within the grade band A2 - A4, and recruitment will be conducted within this band. Candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for a lower grade (A1). The selected candidate will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, and the recruitment process may include selection tests. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics.