ELC Capacity Demonstration Manager / Boost! Commercial Services Manager

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 encompass 22 member states and employs over 2,200 staff members. 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 operates across multiple countries, focusing on various aspects of space exploration, satellite technology, and Earth observation, among others. The agency is committed to fostering international cooperation in space exploration and technology development.

Job Overview:
The ELC Capacity Demonstration Manager / Boost! Commercial Services Manager position is pivotal in supporting the growth of Europe’s commercial space transportation sector. This role is part of the Boost!/European Launcher Challenge Programme within the Directorate of Space Transportation. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the development support and capacity demonstration activities undertaken by selected companies under the Boost! and/or ELC programmes. This includes technical and programmatic monitoring, performance assessment, and milestone validation. The role is designed to adapt to the evolving needs of the programmes, ensuring robust and competitive access to space for both institutional and commercial customers in Europe. The manager will act as a Technical Officer for various pre-commercial service development contracts, ensuring that all technical, financial, and programmatic aspects are effectively managed and executed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the ELC Capacity Demonstration Manager / Boost! Commercial Services Manager include: managing the technical, financial, and programmatic implementation of industrial contracts under the ELC and/or Boost! programmes; monitoring progress against workplans, validating milestones and deliverables, and coordinating reviews; overseeing development, testing, qualification, and demonstration activities conducted by supported companies; ensuring compliance with requirements for capacity demonstration; proactively identifying risks and proposing mitigation actions; evaluating technical maturity and market relevance of service proposals; assessing technical and financial aspects of new space transportation services; coordinating with various stakeholders and preparing programme-level documentation; contributing to outreach efforts and coordinating with other relevant programmes within the agency.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline. Additionally, experience in managing industrial contracts and monitoring industrial activities is essential. Knowledge of ESA’s procurement processes is desirable. The ability to assess industrial workplans, technical dossiers, and performance metrics is crucial, along with strong analytical skills for business economics analysis. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work autonomously and cooperatively with diverse stakeholders, showcasing strong relationship management skills.

Educational Background:
A master's degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary technical knowledge and skills to effectively manage the responsibilities associated with the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant professional experience, ideally in industry-driven commercialisation programmes and cooperation with the European Union. Candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for a lower grade level (A1). The experience should encompass managing industrial contracts and understanding the dynamics of the commercial space transportation sector.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory for the position. Additionally, knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset, enhancing communication and collaboration within the diverse workforce of ESA.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term appointment for four years, extendable to an indefinite duration based on performance and organizational needs. The recruitment process will consider candidates from specific member states, and applicants must be eligible to access information subject to European or US export control regulations. Successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment, and the agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in its hiring practices.