Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Darmstadt

Organization: ESA - European Space Agency
Location: Darmstadt
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Operations and Administrations
- Engineering
- Outer space and satellite technology
Closing Date: Closed

Vacancy in the Directorate of Operations.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation and operations of the mission operations ground segment and the spacecraft operations for ESA missions that travel in interplanetary space, typically from start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of mission.

Duties

You will initially be assigned to the Mars Exploration Missions Operations Unit in the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division and will report hierarchically to the Head of Unit and functionally to the ExoMars 2022 Rover and Surface Platform Spacecraft Operations Manager.

Your tasks will include the following:

Assisting the 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;
Performing the acting SOM role when delegated;
Assisting the 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 in the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies regarding all aspects related to your area of responsibility;
Providing support to the SOM/Head of Unit in discharging the Unit’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparation and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, Division or Department, and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities.

Technical competencies

General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Knowledge of mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations

Understanding of development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems

Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's degree in engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Experience in the following areas is required:

planetary mission operations, remote rover operations, relay communications networks;
ground segment development activities;
operations of large, complex and geographically distributed systems;
international cooperation.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

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.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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

According to the ESA Convention the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States. (https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/NationalityTargets.pdf)

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment.

Recruitment will normally be at the first grade in the band (A2); however, if the candidate selected has little or no experience, the position may be filled at A1 level.

This vacancy is now closed.
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