Project Controller

Job Requisition ID: 20113

Date Posted: 2 December 2025

Application Deadline: 23 December 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Space Transportation

Workplace: Paris, FR

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

Description
Project Controller in the Infrastructure and Value Chain Project Control Service, Operating Planning and Business Unit Controlling Office, Directorate of Space Transportation.

The Operating Planning and Business Unit Controlling Office provides management support to the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS) and is responsible for the Directorate’s overall human and financial resources planning, monitoring and reporting, as well as for coordinating the activities and plans of the Directorate’s information systems.

The team provides project control support to all Space Transportation projects and activities, and fulfils Directorate-level roles such as financial planning and consolidation, risk management, and reporting to management as well as to Member State committees and boards.

Duties
As Project Controller, you will report to the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Project Control Service, and will hold key responsibilities in the preparation, procurement and monitoring of complex procurements, from tendering to the closure of contracts, as well as for management, financial and planning aspects. You will have multiple interfaces within and outside ESA, including with industrial contractors when conducting negotiations, and you will play a key role in supporting the Project Manager(s) with programmatic decision-making.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• preparing and updating plans (in-year, multi-year and at-completion) covering industrial and operating costs (including workforce-related costs), ensuring consistency with the schedule, as well as the appropriate aggregation of cross-cutting areas;
• monitoring and forecasting deviations from plans, providing explanations and proposing corrective actions. Supporting project and department-level team meetings;
• preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects on financial matters: defining the project control work breakdown structure and maintaining the related master data in alignment with the organisation; performing tasks assigned to Project Controllers in ESA ERP for assigned projects; keeping the planning up-to-date; ensuring compliance with budgetary provisions and financial regulations; monitoring industrial return by providing data and supporting related analyses; and maintaining general project administration;
• providing support for proposal evaluation negotiations with industry. Monitoring assigned contracts and ensuring industry’s compliance with formal requirements for management, costs, schedule, risks, industrial return and reporting, including deviations from plans and trends;
• preparing and updating the financial/workforce aspects of project plans, supporting project reviews, and preparing and/or supporting ad hoc analyses;
• supporting the preparation of Programme Board status reports: reporting on schedule, and conducting preparation and validation tasks with Project Managers’ inputs to ensure concise reports are produced;
• supporting the preparation of Adjudication Committee and Industrial Policy Committee papers;
• supporting the programme closure exercise;
• supporting risk management at project level, in the context of the Agency-wide risk management policy and Directorate risk management procedures;
• supporting asset management at project level;
• participating in the establishment and maintenance of the Directorate’s project control procedures and information systems;
• supporting the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Project Control Service in the performance of their duties.

Technical competencies
Understanding of the relevant ESA/EU procurement regulations

Knowledge of the cost and financial regulatory framework, including accounting standards and auditing

Knowledge of budgeting, cost control, and resources and activities planning

Expert knowledge of SAP-based ERP systems and related queries

Strong analytical and reporting skills

Knowledge of project and risk management

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 degree in business administration, engineering or a related field is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• You should have previous professional experience as a controller of a project or programme, preferably at Agency or industry level.
• Substantial experience is essential in the application of project control principles and advanced project control techniques, as well as in the preparation, negotiation and implementation of major industrial procurements.
• Experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing would be considered an asset. Some knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture would also be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of computer systems and information/planning/coordination tools (e.g. esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project) is essential.
• Familiarity with modern dashboard tools would be considered an asset.
• You should be able to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively. You should also be able to define and implement solutions in line with team and individual objectives and deadlines. You should possess strong written and oral communication skills and be rigorous and disciplined when working on demanding tasks. You should also have good analytical, organisational and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to problem-solving.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

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 information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions 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 are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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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