Description

Head of the Flight Dynamics Division in the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

Duties

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, the Head of the Flight Dynamics Division is a member of the Department Management Team and is jointly responsible for implementing the Department’s strategy and the related change processes. If selected for this position, you will also be responsible for solutions and support for space missions in the domains of mission analysis, flight dynamics and precise navigation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• provision of comprehensive end-to-end solutions covering all the mission analysis, flight dynamics and precise navigation functions for the missions operated at ESOC, as well as other ESA and third-party programmes and projects as required. This includes operations preparation, execution and performance evaluation;
• provision of expertise to space programmes and projects in the domains of mission analysis, flight dynamics and precise navigation support;
• development, management and maintenance of infrastructure and systems required for the above activities, from the early study phase through to the definition, development, operation and decommissioning phases, leading their evolution to ensure sustainability and support of future needs, as well as maximising the efficiency and quality of the solutions and interfaces;
• fostering synergies and reuse of the latest infrastructure investments, most notably optimising the use the multi-mission infrastructure;
• leading the European space sector’s efforts in the Division’s domain of responsibility, fostering innovation, commercialisation and enlargement of the Department’s footprint in ESA’s Member States, and ensuring that the Division participates in international scientific and technical networks and conducts cutting-edge research;
• leading spin-in of advanced technologies and methodologies in the Division’s domains of responsibility;
• leading the R&D activities, standardisation and European harmonisation in the Division’s domain of responsibility, both in internal and international forums such as ECSS and CCSDS;
• planning and managing the Division’s resources, including the workforce workload, as well as technical, organisational, financial and contractual aspects of its activities, such as technical management and procurement of industrial engineering services;
• developing and evolving staff competences to meet current and future strategic needs, including management of specialists’ knowledge and expertise in the Division’s domains of responsibility;
• identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the security, health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook.

Education

A master's degree in mathematics, physics or a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing teams of experts in a project and/or operational environment;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others, such as team members, upper management, other stakeholders, in this process.

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

Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.