Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the conception, design, implementation and operations of the mission operations ground segment and the spacecraft operations for ESA missions that travel in interplanetary space, typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of mission.

You will be assigned to the Operations Definition and Engineering Team and will hierarchically report to the Head of Unit.

Your tasks will include standard Spacecraft Operations Engineer duties as follows:

• Assisting the Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM)/Head of Unit in the definition, preparation and execution of the mission operations assigned to the Unit, including nominal, special and contingency operations, spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution, performance evaluation and reporting;
• Taking on the role of acting SOM/Head of Unit when delegated;
• Assisting the SOM/Head of Unit in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
• Interfacing with other areas in the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies for all aspects related to your area of responsibility;
• Providing support to the SOM/Head of Unit in discharging the Unit’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit(s)/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, the Division or the Department, and support for other Directorate or ESA activities.

Additionally, the initial assignment will include the following specific tasks:

• Actively participating in CDF studies and supporting pre-Phase A and Phase A/B1 studies, as well as developing the corresponding operations-related inputs (operations assumptions, requirements, interfaces, concepts, cost and risk management);
• Initiating and managing (as technical officer) mission operations-related technology and application development studies and projects, making use of available funding opportunities within ESA programmes;
• Creating concepts for custom operations for non-traditional missions or non-traditional customers (e.g. Moonlight) and delivering that support, leveraging on existing resources and facilities or engineering new ground segment components.

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position. Solid knowledge of space systems and their components, as well as mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations, and the ability to perform system and trade-off analysis. Understanding of the development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems.

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master's degree in engineering or science is required for this post.

Experience in project management (preparing statements of work and requirements, managing schedules and contractors, managing costs and risks, participating in scrum teams, testing and validation) and systems engineering (system architecture and interfaces, system performance, trade-off analysis, etc.) would be considered an asset.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.