EO Future Mission End-to-end System Engineer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: EO Future Mission End-to-end System Engineer
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Deadline Date: 11 December 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Job Details

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 in various domains, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, exploration, and telecommunications, and collaborates with numerous international partners.

Job Overview:
The EO Future Mission End-to-End System Engineer will play a crucial role in the preparation and execution of Earth Observation (EO) future missions. This position involves working within the Mission and System Studies Section of the Future Missions and Instruments Division, where the engineer will engage in comprehensive engineering activities that span the entire mission lifecycle. The engineer will be responsible for defining and managing industrial activities related to EO missions, ensuring that all technical aspects are aligned with mission requirements and user needs. The role requires close collaboration with various divisions within the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes (D/EOP) and interaction with Earth observation users, including Science Mission Advisory Groups. The engineer will also contribute to the development of new mission concepts and ensure the technical coherence of system designs, making this a dynamic and impactful position within ESA.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the EO Future Mission End-to-End System Engineer include:

• Defining, negotiating, initiating, and managing industrial activities for EO future missions, including pre-Phase A and mission/architecture studies.
• Coordinating a small team of engineers to ensure effective execution of these activities.
• Managing Phase A industrial activities for missions not yet approved for implementation and ensuring a smooth handover to the Project Department post-approval.
• Conducting internal studies to evaluate the results of industrial activities and the merit of new mission concepts.
• Updating system specifications throughout the preparatory phases of EO missions in collaboration with the Earth and Mission Science Division.
• Ensuring the technical coherence of end-to-end system designs, including performance analyses and subsystem definitions.
• Evaluating industrial and scientific proposals, particularly for Earth Explorers and Missions of Opportunity.
• Contributing to the preparation of scientific and technical dossiers on ESA EO missions.
• Supporting proposal evaluations and follow-up activities for Scout and InCubed initiatives. 1
• Analyzing EO developments by other space agencies and commercial initiatives. 1
• Managing end-to-end performance simulator studies and activities for EO future missions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in space engineering with a systems orientation, particularly in the context of Earth observation missions. A thorough understanding of ESA's development, verification, and procurement processes is essential. Additionally, candidates should have knowledge of optical and/or microwave remote sensing techniques and a solid grasp of Earth observation user needs. Strong interpersonal skills are required to effectively coordinate and interact with team members and external stakeholders.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree or PhD in engineering or physics is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complex technical requirements and challenges associated with EO missions.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least six years of relevant experience in space mission preparation and/or development. This experience should include working in a team or project environment, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively with others. Experience in the preparation phases (Phases 0 and A) of EO missions is particularly valuable, as is experience with the development of end-to-end performance simulators and system performance evaluation.

Languages:
A good command of English or French is mandatory, as these are the working languages of the Agency. Knowledge of another language from an ESA Member State would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate within the diverse environment of ESA.

Additional Notes:
This position is a permanent contract within the grade band A2-A

• However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following their master’s degree, the position may be filled at the A1 level. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. ESA is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, including women and individuals with disabilities. The agency values a diverse workforce and aims to create an inclusive working environment.