IRIS² Lead Ground Segment Service 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 across various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and telecommunications, and collaborates with numerous international partners to advance space science and technology.

Job Overview:
The IRIS² Lead Ground Segment Service Engineer will play a pivotal role in the Secure Connectivity Ground Segment & Operations Office within the Secure Connectivity Programme Department. This position involves overseeing the design and development of the infrastructure that provides essential services to end users, managed by the IRIS² service management center, GOVSATCOM Hub, and commercial operators. The engineer will be responsible for supervising the entire lifecycle of technical requirements for the IRIS² service component, ensuring that all functional, performance, operational, and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security requirements are met. This role requires close coordination with various domain teams to maintain coherent operational workflows and ensure that the service infrastructure is effectively aligned with applicable standards and objectives. The engineer will also support project reviews, monitor schedules, and manage risks associated with the service infrastructure, ensuring that all components meet the defined requirements and specifications.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the IRIS² Lead Ground Segment Service Engineer include: supervising the end-to-end technical requirements lifecycle for the IRIS² service component; coordinating with domain teams to ensure consistent requirements and aligned processes; preparing for and supporting project reviews at the ground-segment level; supervising the implementation of service-infrastructure activities; liaising with the system office for correct implementation and integration; supporting the alignment of OSS/BSS workflows with ITIL processes; monitoring schedules and delivery progress; identifying risks and issues affecting the service infrastructure; conducting technical impact assessments; proposing mitigation actions; monitoring and controlling changes and deviations related to the service component; supporting integration activities involving 5G Core-related architectures; and supporting the service and exploitation team at the European Commission in managing the overall service lifecycle management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess strong capabilities in supervising the full lifecycle of technical requirements for a service infrastructure, including functional, performance, operational, and security aspects. Proven experience in coordinating cross-domain technical activities is essential, along with demonstrated experience in service management frameworks such as ITIL. Expertise in supervising the implementation of service-infrastructure activities and solid experience in tracking, evaluating, and controlling changes are also required. Additionally, candidates should have proven experience in the development and integration of large-scale software systems.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this position, along with four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant professional experience may also be considered for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in a related field. Candidates with direct experience working with commercial telecommunications companies and operators will have a distinct advantage. Experience in public-private partnership projects and working on projects with a security dimension would also be beneficial.

Languages:
The working languages of the European Space Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these languages is mandatory, while knowledge of another Member State language would be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The position is a four-year appointment, extendable to indefinite. Recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4), but if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of their master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and must be able to acquire security clearance by their national security administrations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates.