Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section

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Position Title: Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section
Location: Noordwijk
Country: Netherlands
Deadline Date: 4 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 operates across multiple countries, focusing on various aspects of space exploration, including Earth observation, human spaceflight, and satellite navigation. 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:
As the Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the development, validation, and optimization of complex simulation environments and digital models tailored for space applications. Reporting to the Head of the Future Engineering Division, your responsibilities will include guiding a team of experts to innovate and enhance engineering methodologies, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry. The section you will lead is recognized as the Agency’s center of excellence for data and information modeling, advanced simulation methods, and software applications. Your role will involve interfacing with all ESA programs to anticipate future technical competencies and tools, contributing to operational activities, and supporting the Agency’s digitalization initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of tasks, including:

• R&D/technology management: Define and implement the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programs and R&D activities, coordinate technology requirements, and liaise with relevant expert groups.
• General and leadership: Foster a positive working environment, communicate ESA values, and establish relationships with users and project groups.
• Talent management: Maintain expertise in the Section, drive development, and manage staff mobility with minimal disruption.
• Expertise offering: Support teamwork, contribute to technical assessments, and represent the Agency in your areas of expertise.
• Laboratories: Assume technical responsibility for the Modelling and Simulation Laboratory.
• Support management: Monitor performance, report on objectives, and manage daily matters within the Section.
• Workload assessment: Establish multi-year activity plans, annual objectives, and manage specialized technical support.
• Interface management: Coordinate the evolution of standards related to the Section’s technical domains. Additionally, you will be responsible for identifying and managing health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong background in the technical domains relevant to the position, with solid experience in defining and specifying technology R&D activities. You should have the potential to manage individuals or teams, strong leadership capabilities, and proven relationship management skills. The ability to drive team performance and develop people through constructive feedback is essential. Furthermore, strong problem-solving skills, planning and organizational skills, and a customer-focused approach are required. Experience in people management and international exposure would be advantageous.

Educational Background:
A master’s degree or Ph.D. in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics, or a related field with a focus on simulation and modeling is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of the role and the technical domains involved.

Experience:
The position requires substantial experience related to the technical domains of the Section, particularly in supporting space projects throughout all mission phases. Candidates should have experience in driving R&D activities, knowledge of ESA technology programs, and familiarity with procurement processes and contract management. Resource management experience is also essential, as you will be responsible for overseeing the Section's activities and resources.

Languages:
The working languages of the 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. This linguistic proficiency is crucial for effective communication 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 the completion of their master’s degree, the position may be filled at the A1 level. Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware subject to European and US export control regulations. The recruitment process may include selection tests, and successful candidates will undergo basic screening before appointment. The Agency is committed to diversity and inclusiveness, encouraging applications from all qualified candidates, particularly women and individuals with disabilities.