LEO Payload Team Leader

Job Requisition ID: 18764

Date Posted: 1 July 2024

Application Deadline: 22 July 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Progr

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a Programme Directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, D/HRE is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

As LEO Payload Team Leader, you will join the LEO and Suborbital Utilisation Team, LEO Services Group, Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes.

Reporting to the leader of the LEO and Suborbital Utilisation Team, you will be responsible for the payload engineering activities related to the development of LEO payloads.

You will liaise closely with industrial contractors, payload system engineers and various teams in the LEO Services Group, most notably the Engineering and the Operations Teams.

Duties
As LEO Payloads Team Leader, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Overseeing the design and development to schedule and within budget of all approved scientific facilities and payloads for LEO, as defined by the LEO and Suborbital Utilisation Team lead;
• Generating technical requirements for definition (Phase A/B), development (C/D) and operations (E) based on the Activity Requirements Document (ARD) and in close cooperation and coordination with the Science Teams and the Operations Team;
• Acting as Technical Officer for several payload development contracts within the team;
• As Technical Officer, negotiating and managing industrial contracts and monitoring industrial activities related to the development, integration, testing and initial operations (commissioning phase) of the assigned payloads;
• Managing the team;
• Chairing the relevant Change Control Board and Engineering Board;
• Supporting, as necessary, the Science Teams in enabling a smooth transfer from the science definition phases to the development phase, by actively participating in technical and programmatic reviews in the definition phase and by anticipating implementation constraints, as appropriate;
• Enabling, in close cooperation with other entities in the LEO Service Group, a smooth transfer from development to operations;
• Performing studies for new ESA scientific, medical or training LEO payloads, as defined by the Science, Medical or Training Team;
• Supporting payload development prioritisation when needed;
• Supporting the development and update of the strategic utilisation plan;
• Acting as a member of the various boards in the LEO Service Group (such as the Utilisation Implementation Board (UIB) or the Joint Mission Management Team (JMMT)).

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

Technical competencies
Delivery of complex projects within budget and schedule

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Knowledge of the technical and programmatic requirements of ESA programmes/projects

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Project and technical management

Understanding of ESA space project review processes

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

• You should have proven experience in the management and delivery of aerospace or similarly complex projects within budget and schedule, including development, integration and operational activities of complex space hardware;
• Knowledge of the ISS programmatic and technical environment and experience of ESA procurement and supplier/industry management would be a strong asset;
• You should demonstrate very good team leadership and change management skills together with a strong customer focus;
• You will be required to be system-minded and to have a result-oriented approach so that you are equipped to work in a highly complex project environment;
• The potential to manage individuals or a team;
• 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 skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• Strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused.

People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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

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 [email protected].

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 technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.

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 can only be 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, Slovakia 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*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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