Cost Engineer

Job Requisition ID: 19165

Date Posted: 28 November 2024

Application Deadline: 19 December 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Technology, Engineering and Quality

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
Cost Engineer in the Cost Engineering Section (TEC-SFC), Future Engineering Division (TEC-SF), Systems Department (TEC-S), Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Our team and mission:

With a dynamic multicultural team of approximately 10 cost engineers, the Section is involved in the following areas:

• Cost engineering support for the studies and projects carried out by the various directorates of ESA (Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, Space Transportation, Earth Observation, Navigation, Science, Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, Operations, and Connectivity and Secure Communications);
• Cost and systems engineering support for the feasibility and early phase studies of future ESA missions using the Concurrent Design Facility (CDF);
• Responsibility for the ESA costing software ECOS.

You are encouraged to visit the following websites:

• ESA Cost Engineering: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/Cost_Engineering
• CDF: https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Engineering_Technology/CDF
• ECOS: https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/How_to_do/Introduction_to_ESA_Costing_Software

Systems Engineering Division (please note that Cost Engineering has recently become part of a newly created Future Engineering Division): https://technology.esa.int/division/systems-engineering-division.

Duties

• Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:
• Preparation of cost estimates in support of projects;
• Cost and systems engineering support for ESA projects for design to cost;
• Comparative analysis of industrial contractors’ estimates, prices and costs-at-completion;
• Evaluation of industrial proposals for cost-related matters;
• Participation in ESA project reviews;
• Processing and analysis of ECOS files;
• Support for the negotiation of industrial contracts;
• Cost engineering and systems engineering tasks in assessment studies at the Concurrent Design Facility;
• Development and maintenance of the Section’s (parametric) cost estimating models and databases.
• Technical competencies
• Cost estimation, via parametric models that estimate the scope, cost and effort;
• Cost engineering methods and application tools;
• Development of cost and schedule models;
• Knowledge of and general background in systems engineering and relevant technical domains covered by the position;
• Experience in space systems engineering and development with a mission end-to-end view;
• Knowledge of the industrial landscape, i.e. relevant strategic and technological trends and developments, both within and beyond the space domain.

Technical competencies
Cost estimation, via parametric models that estimate the scope, cost and effort

Cost engineering methods and application tools

Development of cost and schedule models

Knowledge of and general background in systems engineering and relevant technical domains covered by the position

Experience in space systems engineering and development with a mission end-to-end view

Knowledge of the industrial landscape, i.e. relevant strategic and technological trends and developments, both within and beyond the space domain

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
A master’s in engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements
The following competencies are mandatory:

• The ability to work independently and establish excellent working relations within the Agency and with external partners and industries;
• The ability to work in multidisciplinary space mission design teams;
• Autonomy and a proactive attitude.

Knowledge of the following technical domains would be an asset:

• Concurrent engineering and design, taking into account cost, technical and programmatic aspects such as planning and risks;
• Commercially available parametric cost models (such as TruePlanning);
• ESA’s costing software ECOS;
• ESA and its activities, programmes and policies;
• Management and negotiation.
  

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 & security clearance by their national security administrations.

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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