Spacecraft Operations Engineer (2 Positions)
Darmstadt, DE
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Description
Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Earth Observation Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).
The Earth Observation Missions Division is responsible for the management, definition and implementation of spacecraft operations and the flight operations segment, typically from the beginning of phase B and in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of the mission.
Duties
You will initially be assigned to the BIOMASS/FLEX/CRYO&SWARM Missions Operations Unit (first position) or directly to the Division in support to EOP’s ERS-EO and national programs flight operations activities (second position) within the Earth Observation Missions Division and will report hierarchically to the Head of Unit/Office and functionally to the appointed missions' Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM), as/if applicable.
Your tasks will include:
- assisting the Head of Unit or appointed SOM in the definition, preparation and execution of the mission operations assigned to the Unit including nominal, special and contingency operations, spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution, performance evaluation and reporting;
- assisting the Head of Unit or appointed SOM in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
- interfacing with other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies for all aspects relating to your area of responsibility;
- providing expert and functional support to ESA programmes and activities, for example as Operations Architect, in the area of mission operations, ground and system validation, and space-to-ground interfaces in line with ESA’s matrix organisation;
- providing support to the Head of Unit or appointed SOM in discharging the Unit’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparations for and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, the Division or the Department, and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities;
- providing ad hoc satellite operations and ground segment performance reports;
- providing support, with the ESOC Operations team, to the operations preparation, system validation tests, launch and commissioning phases.
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 and professional experience
A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 3 years of relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements
- A minimum of three years direct experience in flight operations and ground systems engineering;
- Demonstrated knowledge of the ESA operations environment and its working methodologies;
- Demonstrated ability to analyse and sum up technical and programmatic information in a manner that leads to minimum cost/acceptable risk solutions;
- Demonstrated experience in interfacing with external and international partners on matters relating to instrument operations;
- A strong demonstrated capacity for teamwork;
- A high level of self-motivation and autonomy and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
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
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
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, Cyprus, 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.