Description

EnVision was selected by ESA’s Science Programme Committee as the fifth Medium-class mission in the Agency’s Cosmic Vision plan, with a launch in the early 2030s from ESA’s Spaceport in Kourou, on an Ariane 62 launcher.

EnVision will be the first mission to investigate Venus from its inner core to its upper atmosphere, characterising the interaction between its different envelopes: its atmosphere, surface/subsurface and interior. It aims to provide a holistic view of Venus, studying the planet’s history, activity, and climate. EnVision is an ESA-led mission in partnership with NASA, with NASA providing the Synthetic Aperture Radar (VenSAR) and Deep Space Network support for critical mission phases. 

EnVision’s science payload consists of VenSAR, a dual polarisation S-band radar also operating as microwave radiometer and altimeter, which will map the surface of Venus; three optical spectrometers (VenSpec-M, VenSpec-U and VenSpec-H) designed to observe the surface and atmosphere of Venus; and the Subsurface Radar Sounder (SRS), a High Frequency (HF) sounding radar to probe the top kilometres of subsurface. These are complemented by a Radio Science investigation exploiting the spacecraft Telemetry Tracking and Command (TT&C) system to map the planet’s gravity field and constrain its internal structure, and to measure the composition and structure of Venus’ atmosphere.

The Payload Manager will report directly to the EnVision Project Manager in the Projects Department, within the Directorate of Science.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• interfacing with the mission's scientific consortia for the development of the EnVision instruments, monitoring the instruments technical and programmatic progress and providing management and technical support where necessary;
• managing the procurements of the ESA contributions to the instruments: VenSpec-U detectors, Master Reference Oscillator (MRO) and SRS antenna;
• planning and implementing the instrument reviews from PDR to flight model DRB (Delivery Review Board);
• taking all possible measures to ensure timely delivery of the various instruments deliverables (hardware models, software, mathematical models, documentation) to the Spacecraft Prime contractor;
• being the book-captain of the EIDA (Interface, design, performance, and management requirements for the instruments), and ensuring the verification of all applicable requirements by the instrument teams;
• defining and ensuring consistency between the instruments and the spacecraft design, resources and interfaces, in particular by organizing regular interface meetings between each instrument team and the Spacecraft Prime contractor;
• preparing and applying the engineering definition changes related to instrument interfaces to be submitted to the Configuration Change Board, to reflect the current spacecraft definition and control the instrument accommodation, interface and resource allocations;
• ensuring that the payload AIV, calibration and operations plans at instrument and spacecraft levels are robust, complete and implemented in line with the performance and interface requirements;
• providing inputs to the definition and coordination of instrument-related mission operations and ground segment interfaces, and ensuring that instrument teams provide the necessary inputs for on-ground and in-flight operations; 
• providing EnVision project representation and support for the EnVision Science Working Team (SWT);
• leading the EnVision Payload Team;
• participating in other Project and Department tasks where your experience is relevant.

In the execution of these tasks, you will lead a team of Payload Systems Engineers and will liaise closely with the other sections in the Project. You will also be supported by specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality.

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

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's degree in engineering or applied physics is required.

Additional requirements

You should be:

• self-motivated, system-oriented and able to effectively interact with ESA stakeholders, scientific institutions and industry by building positive relationships;
• solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of high standard and integrity;
• preferable have knowledge and experience of verification practices tools, notably DOORS. 

You should further have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting; 
• the ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility, and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving and organisational skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges;
• a strong results orientation for setting priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively 
• people management experience is an asset.