Description

Project Engineer in the ESTEC AIP and Infrastructure Projects Office of the ESTEC and ESEC Estates and Facilities Management Division, Estates and Facilities Management Department, ESA Directorate of Human Resources, Facility Management and Informatics.

The European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) site covers 40 hectares of land and provides office space for approximately 2,800 people, it's infrastructure has developed progressively over the last 50 years to reach its current layout. The site has 160,000 square meters of buildings that serve as working areas, technical laboratories, Europe’s largest satellite test centre, conference venues, meeting rooms and sports facilities.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has approved the ESTEC Accelerated Investment Programme (AIP), an ambitious multiyear investment programme intended to replace a significant portion of the old buildings (covering approximately 30,000 square meters) with new, modern and energy-efficient spaces that will respond to ESA’s evolving business needs and offer an attractive, inspiring and modern working environment for the workforce as well as state-of-the-art laboratories and technical facilities. The AIP is expected to reach completion in 2030.
 

Duties

You will report to the Accelerated Investment Project (ESTEC) Project Manager, serving as their deputy and supporting them in the management of the project and the decision-making process.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• proactively identifying and addressing project management issues;
• regularly monitoring key project metrics and tracking changes in project development trends;
• helping create a culture of risk detection, awareness and proactive management to ensure timely decision-making and maintain the best development strategy for the project;
• actively involving stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle to foster collaboration and ensure the project stays on track and leads to their  satisfaction;
• supporting the AIP Project Manager in guiding and motivating the project team members.

You will support the Project Manager in:

• defining and organising the AIP (ESTEC) multiyear programme, breaking its phasing and sequencing down into feasible and rational programme activities, while optimising the duration of these activities to meet the key project objectives in terms of scope, budget, schedule and quality;
• ensuring the proper definition, preparation, initiation and organisation of all the necessary activities to be performed by external companies;
• preparing a programme of requirements, project initiation documents, project plans including forecasts about budgetary and personnel needs, statements of work, technical specifications, feasibility studies and business cases, while also managing the request and delivery of the necessary work permissions;
• preparing tender documents and technical specifications; 
• overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the programme activities, including their compliance with the applicable norms, legislation, procedures, ESA safety rules, quality insurance procedures and quality management system procedures, as well as their adherence to the project requirements, budget and schedule;
• organising project reviews, evaluating the performance of the contractors, maintaining a proper project library and documentation, following up/coordinating changes to the project scope, and reviewing payments;
• coordinating the commissioning and acceptance of the project activities upon project delivery, preparing the close-out of the projects, including the follow up of any non-conformance items, preparing acceptance certificates, and reviewing and archiving ‘as-built’ documentation;
• reporting on programme implementation progress, preparing communication notes, information sessions and reports, and, when necessary, liaising with the local authorities.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s in project management, architecture, or civil, mechanical or electrical engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

At least ten years of relevant experience in construction projects is required. 

You should also have problem-solving, communication, leadership, relationship management and, negotiation skills, and must be able to work effectively under pressure and in a multicultural environment.