Our team and mission

The Technology Coordination and Planning Office reports to the Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality and leads the implementation and evolution of processes relating to technology planning and coordination across the Agency and with external stakeholders, including ESA Member States, the European Union and industry. The Office also provides support to the Director on EU matters relating to technology, coordination of competence domains and general interaction with ESA Member States and industry. In so doing, the team interfaces with individuals at various levels within and outside the Agency.

The Office’s specific duties include: 

• managing the technology harmonisation process at European level, mapping needs and capabilities and drawing up roadmaps as agreed by national and European institutions and industry and monitoring their implementation;
• chairing the Technology Harmonisation Advisory Group (IPC THAG) and fulfilling the secretariat function of the Technology Advisory Working Group (IPC TA WG);
• leading coordination with the European Commission and the European Defence Agency (EDA) on critical space technologies for European non-dependence;
• leading coordination of technology matters with the EU;
• leading implementation of the Agency-wide process of managing technology development within ESA and fulfilling the secretariat function for various working groups and the TECNET Chairs Forum;
• evolving the Agency-wide technology management process as required to improve efficiency and use, including the supporting tools;
• monitoring the implementation of agreed work plans and leading the evaluation of technology development results at aggregate Agency level;
• supporting the Director in the overall coordination of competence domains;
• providing the Directorate’s liaison to the Industrial Policy Committee (IPC);
• working closely with the Industrial Policy and SME Units, coordinating the Directorate’s interaction with industry at various levels and supporting the related coordination;
• acting as the Directorate’s representative for internal networks and forums related to the above responsibilities;
• contributing to the dissemination of the results of activities performed and knowledge transfer across the Agency.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

As a Young Graduate Trainee, you will contribute to a range of activities in the Technology Coordination and Planning Office, in particular the:

• coordination and harmonisation of space technology development in Europe;
• extensive mapping of technologies submitted for harmonisation with ESA, national and industry experts;
• drawing up of roadmaps and harmonised implementation schemes for discussion and agreement with ESA Member States;
• preparation of the European Space Technology Master Plan;
• analysis of ESA internal technology management processes;
• evolution of the procedures, tools and databases supporting the processes coordinated by the Office;
• evaluation of the technology development results at aggregate Agency level.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in a technical or scientific discipline, in particular systems engineering, business engineering/management or industrial engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

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.

During the interview, your motivation and overall professional career goals will also be explored.