Lead End-to-End 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 across multiple countries and has various facilities, including the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) located in Noordwijk, Netherlands, which serves as the agency's technical heart.

Job Overview:
The Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer will play a crucial role in the SAGA Project, which aims to develop and deploy an end-to-end space mission for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). This position requires a deep understanding of system performance management and the ability to work closely with industry partners to ensure the successful implementation of mission requirements. The engineer will be responsible for defining mission and system requirements, monitoring performance models, and ensuring that all aspects of the mission align with the established performance budgets. The role also involves regular reporting to project management, identifying risks, and proposing mitigation strategies. The engineer will lead a team of engineers and collaborate with various stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, from development to in-orbit commissioning.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the Lead End-to-End Performance Engineer include managing the overall end-to-end system performance of the SAGA mission, leading the definition of mission and system requirements, monitoring requirement traceability, managing performance models, and maintaining performance budgets. The engineer will also oversee industrial development and verification activities, coordinate with various leads during development and testing, provide regular project updates, manage schedules, and potentially take on programmatic responsibilities. Additionally, the engineer will lead a team of engineers and specialized support staff, ensuring effective collaboration and communication throughout the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, along with a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree and an additional four years of relevant experience may be considered. Previous project experience, particularly in Optical and/or QKD technology, is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, the ability to manage risks, and effective communication skills to foster positive working relationships.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required for this position. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered if they have additional relevant experience. The educational background should include a strong foundation in engineering principles, particularly those related to space missions and systems.

Experience:
The position requires at least four years of relevant professional experience in engineering, particularly in areas related to space missions, system performance management, and project management. Experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities is considered an asset, as is familiarity with Optical and QKD technologies.

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 Member State language is considered an asset. Candidates must be able to communicate effectively in a multilingual environment.

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

• Recruitment will be conducted in accordance with ESA's policies, and candidates must be eligible to access information subject to European or US export control regulations. The recruitment process may include selection tests and background screening. 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.