Mission Analyst

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 operates in multiple countries across Europe and collaborates with various international partners to advance space science and technology. ESA'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.

Job Overview:
The Mission Analyst position is situated within the Mission Analysis Section of the Flight Dynamics Division at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany. This role is pivotal in the design and analysis of future missions, including terrestrial, lunar, and interplanetary missions. The Mission Analyst will be responsible for trajectory optimization and attitude-related aspects, providing solutions for spacecraft, ground segment design, and operational preparations. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Section and will be expected to participate in and organize mission analysis activities. A key aspect of this role involves supervising and developing complex software tools necessary for mission analysis. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying innovative solutions to both new and existing challenges, with a strong emphasis on understanding future technologies.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Mission Analyst include performing and coordinating mission analysis activities, providing mission analysis solutions for various projects, and interfacing with multiple stakeholders in the space mission design process. This includes collaboration with scientists, European space industry representatives, flight dynamics and operations teams, and subsystem engineers across various domains. The Mission Analyst will also be responsible for developing and maintaining generic mission analysis methods and software, as well as creating project-specific mission analysis tools. Additionally, the role involves providing technical leadership for mission analysis work packages, managing study and development contracts with academia and industry, representing ESA in relevant committees and conferences, and supporting projects through participation in tender evaluations and reviews of industrial contracts. The candidate will also assist the Head of Section in introducing new technologies such as artificial intelligence applications and model-based systems engineering.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in a relevant domain, along with a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience. The position requires a strong foundation in trajectory design and analysis, navigation analysis, and mathematical software development. Familiarity with flight dynamics operations and space systems engineering is also essential. The ideal candidate should demonstrate a result-oriented mindset, operational efficiency, and the ability to foster cooperation and manage relationships effectively. Continuous improvement and forward-thinking are also key competencies sought for this role.

Educational Background:
A master's degree in a relevant field is mandatory for this position. This educational background should ideally encompass areas related to aerospace engineering, physics, mathematics, or other closely related disciplines that provide the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge for mission analysis and space operations.

Experience:
The position requires at least 2 years of relevant professional experience in mission analysis or a closely related field. Candidates with less than four years of experience may be considered for a lower grade level (A1). Experience in trajectory optimization, navigation analysis, and the development of software tools for mission analysis will be particularly advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in English or French is required, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of another language from a Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to collaborate in a diverse environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time appointment for a duration of 4 years, with the possibility of extension to an indefinite term. The recruitment process is open to nationals of specific Member States, and candidates 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 may require applicants to complete selection tests during the recruitment process. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace, welcoming applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability, or other characteristics.