National Projects and ERS-EO Clusters Manager

Job Requisition ID:  20392
Date Posted:  17 March 2026
Closing Date:  7 April 2026 23:59 CET/CEST
Publication:  Internal & External
Type of Appointment 4 years, extendable to indefinite
Directorate:  Earth Observation Programmes
Workplace: 

Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band A5 - A5

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

National Projects and European Resilience from Space – Earth Observation (ERS-EO) Manager. You will report to the ERS-EO Programme Manager within the Earth Observation Projects Department and be responsible for the implementation of clusters (ALPSTAR and ESCA+) in the ERS-EO programme and National Projects (third-party programmes with Spain, Poland and Greece).

You will liaise closely with the national ministries of defence and national space agencies to steer the various projects, and with the main departments of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes to implement them.
The activities under your responsibility will be carried out by multifunctional teams (such as contract, project control, security or engineering) and dedicated Project Managers who will report to you.
You will also hold the role of ESCA+ Project Manager and be in charge of directly managing the main ERS-EO cluster.

Duties

Your duties will include:

  • ensuring that the projects under your responsibility are completed in line with the schedule, specifications and budget;
  •  optimising the coherence of the clusters with the EOGS to ensure that they might contribute to the overall system with compatible interfaces and operational concepts;
  •  optimising the costs of the projects within the specified constraints (performances, schedule and geo-return);
  • ensuring that the operational nature of the projects is reflected in the design, operational concept and transition to final operators in order to achieve the robust, cost-efficient and timely delivery of products.
  •  interfacing with a number of national and European partners (such as the European Commission, national ministries of defence and national space agencies) for the purpose of implementing your projects.
  • reporting internally and externally to high-level delegate bodies (Earth Observation Programme Board or steering committees).


You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge and experience of satellite design, development, verification/testing, launch and in-orbit validation
Proven experience of managing the development of space projects
Knowledge of matters relating to industrial costs and schedules
Complex project risk management processes
Familiarity with procurement
Knowledge of EO space mission operations and operations planning
Knowledge of specific characteristics of military and dual use space systems

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 engineering or a scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should have the following:

  • The ability to summarise complex information as well as good communication skills, both verbal and written;
  • Knowledge of handling restricted or classified information;
  • The ability to work effectively in an international team environment.
  • Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment;
  • The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within projects 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 (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

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

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

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness 
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

 
Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have. 

Nationality and Languages 
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.  


At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.