Description

If selected for this post, you will be the responsible for the the end-to-end system performance definition, monitoring, verification and validation of one or more optical Earth Observation Missions.

Your responsibilities will include the development of end to end performance SW models and budgets for optical missions, and proactive monitoring of instrument and ground processing design compliance with the performances allocation, in close cooperation with the Instrument, Satellite, and Payload Data Ground Segment Team members.

You will represent ESA in decisions regarding the end to end performance aspects of the different mission elements and be responsible by delegation or as Technical Officer for the End to End Performance Simulator and Ground Prototype Processors developments.

Duties

Your duties will include:

• maintenance of mission and system level requirements, monitoring and critically analysing the requirement allocation, their flow down to the relevant contributors, the associated margins, their evolution and their verification, in the following areas for optical Earth Observation missions:
  • observation requirements and mission data products requirements;
  • End-to-End simulator, including Ground Processor Prototype (GPP) up to L2;
  • on-ground and in-flight characterisation and calibration of the instrument.
• maintain mission level performance and error budgets and analyse their compliance with the end-to-end mission performance requirements and propose corrective actions in case of deviation;
• coordinate and follow up the End-to-End Simulator and GPP (from raw to L2 data) development: 
  • defining and maintaining the specifications and reviewing design and interfaces (in particular in L1 and L2 products);
  • monitoring of development by Industry (including scientific institutes);
  • monitoring the acceptance and integration of SW components furnished through ESA (for instance as Customer Furnished Item).
  • ensuring proper verification/validation and acceptance methods are proposed and implemented for the different SW components; 
  • installing, maintaining and operating an up to date version of the E2E Mission Performance Simulator software on ESA computing infrastructure; administering the internal ESA software problems list and ensure correct iteration with the implementors;
• support Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS) development for what concerns the Ground operational processor aspects and cross-verification activities of the PDGS operational ground processor against the GPP, including Test Data production and verification;
• develop and maintain additional mission performance mathematical models and tools to support the assessment of the relevant industrial development activities.
• in coordination with the instrument development team, monitor and review the definition and implementation of the instrument characterisation, calibration and validation plans, and the specification, procurement and verification/validation of the relevant equipment and activities;
• support the preparation, execution, and analysis of the relevant in-flight calibration and validation operations during the commissioning phase;
• support the running of the relevant Mission Advisory Groups (MAG) for what concerns mission & instrument performance aspects, including end-to-end mission performance verification and compliance status;
• interact with the Mission Users Community and Scientific Community for what concerns products definition and mission & instrument performance aspects;
• support the System, Engineering and Instrument teams as well as the mission scientists in all aspects related to mission performance, as necessary for the effective execution of the optical Earth Observation project.
   

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

Good communication skills ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team within the boundaries of assigned tasks and a stringent schedule, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Industry, scientific institutes, and the user community.