Description

You will be responsible for the SAR performance of one or more SAR-based Earth Observation missions (Biomass and Sentinel 1, different priorities).

Reporting to the System or Payload Manager of the relevant project, you will be responsible for monitoring the status of the SAR performance of the spacecraft and systems, in terms of prediction, assessment, analysis, computation and verification whilst working in close cooperation with staff within your own and D/TEC Divisions.

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 processor developments.

Duties

Your duties will include:

• acting as the ESA point of contact for the end-to-end SAR performance of one or more SAR-based Earth Observation missions;
• maintaining system-level end-to-end performance budgets in coordination with the relevant System, Payload and Engineering sections. Critically monitoring and analysing the compliance of the SAR system performance budgets with the end-to-end system performance requirements and proposing corrective actions in the event of deviation;
• bearing responsibility for the flow-down of the end-to-end SAR performance requirements to the payload instrument and subsystem specifications, and, in close cooperation with the Spacecraft team, the spacecraft-related subsystem specification as well as to ground data processing where relevant;
• supervising, in close cooperation with the Payload team, the overall SAR payload performance characterisation definition, and supporting the monitoring of the subsystem and component performance characterisation;
• conducting performance assessments, simulations and sensitivity analyses including monitoring the operation of the instrument simulator, ensuring that the performance is appropriate for fulfilling the SAR instrument verification and supporting any additional definition, development and verification;
• supporting the Payload team, in your area of expertise, on the definition of the payload characterisation, calibration and verification approach necessary to ensure the SAR performance;
• reviewing the project documentation as produced throughout the project lifetime in the area of SAR instrument and end-to-end performance;
• monitoring and critically analysing the development of relevant calibration techniques, including monitoring calibration transponder performance, its coherence with the system performance and the compliance with the end-to-end system performance requirements;
• identifying other suitable characterisation/calibration targets of opportunity, such as natural targets;
• supporting the mission end-to-end simulator and ground prototype verification and acceptance activities;
• ensuring that the in-orbit commissioning plan is complete regarding all system/end-to-end performance aspects including the space and ground segments (e.g. transponder);
• implementing the in-orbit commissioning plan activities for all aspects related to the end-to-end performance, in close cooperation with the internal and industrial space segment and instrument teams;
• supporting system- and lower-level reviews, such as qualification, acceptance and in-orbit commissioning reviews as well as interactions with the relevant Mission Advisory Groups (MAG) for all aspects related to system performance;
• supporting the Ground Segment / Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS) development for the SAR processor and L1-L2 processing interface aspects, including cross-verification activities of the PDGS operational SAR processor;
• supporting the Payload and System Managers and the project team members in all aspects related to system performance, as necessary for the effective execution of the project, including participation in NRBs, TRBs and PTRs.

As SAR end-to-end performance engineer, you will cooperate with specialist engineers from the project team, the Earth Observation System Support Division and the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality, as well as with the industrial partners. You will report regularly to the project Payload Manager and System Manager.
 

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

Experience in working in a large project environment is mandatory.

Good interpersonal skills and ability to work, coordinate and interact within small teams as well as to work autonomously. 

Experience in technical negotiations, risk assessment and managing uncertainties.