Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to “Empower Europe to lead space science”. 

The Science and Operations Department (SCI-S) within ESA’s Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.

You will be assigned as Science Operations Development Manager, initially for the EnVision mission, and will lead a team of experts to develop its Science Operations Centre. You will report to the Head of the Science Operations Development Division (SCI-SD), working in a collaborative environment alongside teams developing science operations systems for all ESA science missions. 

EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its various envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. The mission will aim to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity and climate. EnVision is targeting a launch in the early 2030s.

Duties

You will be responsible for the definition, design and implementation of the EnVision Science Operations Centre, ESA’s contribution to the EnVision Science Ground Segment, with the goal of maximising the scientific return of the mission.

The Science Operations Centre, based at ESAC in Madrid, Spain, is responsible for science planning, data processing and archiving activities. The Mission Operations Centre, based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, is responsible for all spacecraft operations.

You will work in close collaboration with the EnVision Project Scientist, the EnVision Project Team at ESTEC in the Netherlands, the Mission Operations Centre at ESOC in Germany, and the EnVision Principal Investigator teams delivering components of the Science Ground Segment with their payload instruments.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading the design, implementation and testing of the ESA-funded elements of the science operations system for the EnVision mission;
• delivering a functional science operations system for EnVision in accordance with the required mission milestones and reviews within cost and schedule; 
• managing the EnVision Science Operations team based at ESAC;
• planning, coordinating and supervising all preparatory activities relating to the operation of the Science Operations Centre and leading the transition to the operations phase;
• maximising the scientific return from the mission in line with the Project Scientist’s established requirements;
• liaising with the Project Manager, the Project Scientist, the Spacecraft Operations Manager
• and the Principal Investigator teams in support of the above activities;
• participating in reviews for other projects within the Directorate of Science as appropriate and contributing to managerial activities across the Department.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

You should further have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team of experts in a relevant field;
• the ability to organise individual and team  activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.