Description

Production and Satellites Officer in IRIS² Integrated Programme Team in Secure Connectivity Programme Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

On 15 March 2023, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2023/588 establishing the Union Secure Connectivity Programme for the period 2023–2027.
The objective of the EU Secure Connectivity Programme is to deploy an EU satellite constellation, IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite). The Programme will provide an EU satellite‐based, multiorbital communication infrastructure for governmental use while integrating and complementing existing and future national and European capacities in the framework of the GOVSATCOM component of the EU Space Programme.
The ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity is intended to support the effective development and validation of the EU Secure Connectivity (IRIS²) governmental infrastructure, which is to be developed, deployed and operated under a concession contract signed by the EU with a private consortium, and the services provided by it, as well as the validation and demonstration of services based on the commercial infrastructure developed by the contractors delivering the EU Secure Connectivity governmental infrastructure.

The European Commission and ESA will set up an Integrated Programme Team (IPT) to manage the EU IRIS² Programme and, in particular, the related concession contract, and to ensure close coordination between all activities relating to IRIS².

Reporting to the Deployment Manager of the Integrated Programme Team, you will be responsible for the timely deployment and entry into operations of the specified space segment. You will conduct activities aiming to build up EU manufacturing capabilities both at satellite and at supply chain level. You will oversee the definition and development of the satellites, relying on ESA for supervision of the industrial activities relating to the development and validation and aiming to ensure coordination in accordance with the agreements between ESA and the European Commission. You will support the Development and Validation Officer for aspects relating to the validation of the satellites. You will conduct all activities relating to launch services with ESA support. As such, you will interface with industry on matters relating to satellite production and the launchers of the IRIS² concession.

Initial assignment to Brussels is until Q1 2028 with a possible extension, within the framework of the 12 year Contribution Agreement between ESA and EC. At the end of the assignment, you will be reassigned to a position within CSC Directorate.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• be responsible for the timely deployment and entry into operations of the specified space segment, conducting all relevant IPT tasks in that context;
• interface with industry through the concession contract on matters relating to satellite production and the launchers of the IRIS² concession;
• liaise with the Head of the Space Segment in the ESA Secure Connectivity Department, relying on ESA for supervision of the industrial activities relating to development and validation and aiming to ensure coordination in accordance with the agreements between ESA and the Commission;
• maintain a baseline scenario for incremental development and deployment of the space segment, including the related technology and subsystem roadmaps at space segment level;
• conduct all IPT tasks relating to the building up of EU manufacturing capabilities, both at satellite (factory assembly line) and supply chain level;
• monitor the procurement of the associated launch services, supported by ESA, for all activities relating to the definition of all technical interfaces, such as launch vehicle ICD, and managerial interfaces with the selected launch service providers, and to support the preparation and management of all satellite launch campaign activities in cooperation with the concessionaire, the launch service providers and the satellite manufacturers;
• contribute to the maintenance of programme‐level schedule management, risk management and configuration control;
• contribute to the maintenance of the programme‐level cost plan and key performance indicators;
• propose programme‐level corrective measures to respond to deviations from performance, schedule and cost targets;
• participate in all relevant reviews relating to the development and deployment of the Secure Connectivity system of systems space segment;
• analyse space segment‐related requests for changes, waivers and deviations, non‐conformances, anomalies and alerts, supporting the relevant analyses at system level as and when required;
• maintain the IRIS² space segment development and deployment plan, schedule, risk register and relevant parts of the cost plan, with the required key performance indicators, for consolidation and approval at project level;
• oversee the implementation and enforcement of risk and security management processes at space segment level;
• support the IPT Deployment Manager in all their tasks, in particular in reporting to management at ESA and the Commission and in ensuring coordination between the two organisations;
• coordinate closely with other IPT officers, including the System and Ground Officer, the Development and Validation Officer, the User Terminal, Spectrum and Signal Officer and the Concession Contract Officer, as well as the Security Team.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in engineering or a related technical or scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• the ability to think and communicate in a structured manner; 
• the ability to synthesise complex technical issues and communicate them concisely and clearly; 
• the ability to focus on the “big picture” while being able to comprehend and manage detailed technical issues when required;
• problem‐solving skills to deal with day‐to‐day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills; 
• a result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing.