AIT and Launch Manager

Description

PLATO is the third medium-size mission under the Agency’s Cosmic Vision science programme and is devoted to the search for and characterisation of exoplanets around Sun-like stars in their habitable zone.

The successful candidate will report to the PLATO Project Manager, PLATO Project, Projects Department, Directorate of Science.
 

Duties

You will be in charge of assembly, integration and test (AIT) and the procurement and management of launcher services. You will contribute to overall system verification with the Spacecraft Section and the Payload and Mission Section. 

Specifically, your responsibilities will include:

Leading the assembly, integration and verification activities of the spacecraft:

• In coordination with the Prime Contractor, consolidating system AIT plans, specifications and procedures for STM (structural thermal model), AVM (avionics model), EFM (engineering functional model) and PFM (proto-flight model);
• Supervising all tests and verification at spacecraft level (PFM), managing test readiness reviews, post-test reviews, test review boards, non-conformance reviews and contributing to verification control boards (together with the spacecraft team);
• Supervising the definition and implementation of all functional tests on the AVM and EFM for early functional verification and debugging of procedure for PFM;
• Contributing to the end-to-end verification of the SVM (service module) and PLM (payload module) in cooperation with the spacecraft engineering team; 
• Managing the system AIT schedule;
• Providing support to the spacecraft team for equipment and S/S DRBs;
• Reviewing tests and verification of the payload to ensure compliance with Agency requirements and compatibility with the spacecraft; 
•  Monitoring the procurement of the test facility for PFM testing.

Preparing and managing the launch campaign and interfacing with the Launcher Authority:

• Preparation of the S/C launch operation manual and launch campaign master reference schedule in co-ordination with the Prime and Launch Service Provider;
• Lead the ESA launch campaign integrated team;
• Support the Prime Contractor in the definition, planning and execution of the logistical aspects (transport, storage, inventory, customs) of the launch campaign;
• Coordinate the resources, support and planning for the launch campaign with the launch service provider; 
• Coordinate the resources, documentation and personnel for the launch campaign with industry;
• Monitor launch campaign AIT activity completeness up to the launch in accordance with the agreed launch operation plan. This activity will require your physical presence at the launch site (baseline Centre Spatial Guyanais, French Guiana) for daily co-ordination of both industry and launch service support activities.

You will also contribute to other Project and Science Projects Department tasks when required. 

You will lead a team of two to three people and will be supported by specialist engineers from the Technical and Quality Management Directorate.
 

Technical competencies

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. 

Additional requirements

Applicants for this post should have significant experience in project development and AIT (at least 15 years).