VEGA-C Mission Performance Engineer

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 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 in multiple countries and has various facilities across Europe, including the ESRIN center in Frascati, Italy, which focuses on Earth observation and satellite data.

Job Overview:
The VEGA-C Mission Performance Engineer will play a crucial role in the Vega and Space Rider Launch System and Engineering Division within the Flight Programmes Department of the Directorate of Space Transportation. This position involves leading the analysis, assessment, verification, and monitoring of key performance indicators for the Vega-C Launch System. The engineer will conduct systematic evaluations of the Launch System's performance across all missions, ensuring that results are accurately interpreted and compared against technical requirements and historical trends. The role requires a proactive approach to identifying deviations and proposing corrective actions to optimize performance. The engineer will also be responsible for consolidating flight data, analyzing correlations among parameters, and participating in post-flight reviews to ensure data accuracy and compliance with mission requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the VEGA-C Mission Performance Engineer include:

• Collecting and consolidating flight data from Vega C missions to identify key performance parameters across various engineering disciplines such as environment, trajectory, safety, GNC, and performance achievement.
• Conducting detailed analysis of flight data, focusing on correlations and interactions among parameters in GNC, environments, and system performances.
• Participating in post-flight LEVEL 0 and LEVEL 1 reviews to ensure the verification and correctness of data exploitation outcomes.
• Monitoring mission preparation phases, ensuring compliance with qualification requirements and analyzing mission-specific characteristics and criticalities.
• Engaging in Mission Analysis and Readiness Review processes to ensure alignment with system and customer requirements.
• Documenting mission-specific lessons learned and proposing practical improvement actions for integration into ongoing development activities.
• Managing Vega-C Launch System High Level Requirements, including their introduction, structuring, and traceability within a requirements management tool.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in a relevant engineering field and have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience. Direct experience in the development of Vega-related products and management of lessons learned databases will be considered an asset. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this position. This educational background should provide a solid foundation in systems and mission engineering, as well as an understanding of the complexities involved in launch systems and performance evaluation.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience. This experience should ideally include direct involvement in the development of launch systems, performance analysis, and participation in mission reviews. Candidates with experience in managing lessons learned databases will have an advantage.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good command of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another language from a Member State would be considered an asset. This linguistic capability is essential for effective communication within the agency and with international partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite, and falls within the grade band A2-A

• Recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the advertised grade band, but candidates with less than four years of relevant experience may be considered for an A1 level position. Applicants must be eligible to access information subject to European or US export control regulations and must be able to acquire security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-clearance" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security clearance. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. The agency 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.