TRUTHS Satellite and Engineering Manager

Job Requisition ID: 18897

Date Posted: 18 September 2024

Application Deadline: 9 October 2024 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

Workplace: Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
TRUTHS Satellite and Engineering Manager

TRUTHS, a new Earth Watch element of the ESA Earth Observation Programme, is an operational climate mission aimed at enhancing, by an order of magnitude, our ability to estimate the Earth radiation budget through direct measurements and establishing a metrology laboratory in space to create a fiducial SI -traceable (International System of units) reference data set and to cross-calibrate other sensors, improving the quality of their data. The payload complement of TRUTHS is composed of a hyperspectral imaging spectrometer (HIS) and a cryogenic solar absolute radiometer (CSAR) and the associated on-board calibration system (OBCS). The platform is baselined as a recurrent of a HPCM satellite (CRISTAL). The Ground Segment will be located in the UK, with complementary PDGS services at ESRIN, Frascati, Italy for implementation of ESA’s data access policy.

The TRUTHS project is currently in Phase B2/Advance C, aimed at de-risking the payload and its innovative technologies, consolidating the satellite design at system level, including the interface towards the Ground and Launch Segments, and verifying the challenging performance requirements for achievement of the mission objectives. Upon successful PDR Part I, excluding platform units, which are considered recurrent and will be procured starting from Phase C, the Advance Phase C will be launched to continue the activities on the critical path and to secure the schedule of Phase C/D/E1. Subject to a positive outcome at CM25, the procurement of Phase C/D/E1 will begin, aiming for a launch at the end of 2030. In the scope of Phase C, PDR Part II, including all platform units, will be conducted about three months after kick-off.

The TRUTHS Satellite and Engineering Manager will report to the TRUTHS Project Manager. You will be in charge of functionally leading and coordinating support from other engineers working on the project and specialised technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

Duties
The TRUTHS Satellite and Engineering Manager is in charge of the TRUTHS platform procurement and the design, development and verification of the satellite, including the coordination of all engineering disciplines within the TRUTHS project. Your principal tasks and responsibilities will include:

• responsibility for the entire B2/Advance C and CDE1 phases (design, development, launch campaign and commissioning) of the platform and satellite, ensuring the timely availability of validated flight hardware for launch;
• leading the evaluation of the TRUTHS satellite design to assess the level of recurrence from the CRISTAL platform;
• preparing, evaluating and negotiating Phase CDE1 of the end-to-end TRUTHS satellite procurement for platform aspects and all engineering disciplines;
• responsibility for the design and timely procurement of the spacecraft subsystems, including structure, thermal, propulsion, mechanisms, power generation and storage and avionics (AOCS, data handling and communications);
• ensuring coordination and consistency of approach across major engineering disciplines in respect of the TRUTHS satellite platform and payload, including:

• structural and mechanical engineering;
• thermal engineering;
• mechanisms;
• the propulsion subsystem;
• power and harness engineering;
• electrical design engineering;
• the data handling subsystem;
• telecommunications engineering;
• electromagnetic compatibility and RF compatibility engineering;

.

• coordinating closely with other sections to ensure consistency of platform, payload, subsystem and equipment requirements and interfaces; in particular, cooperating with the System team to implement all satellite elements in the MBSE (model-based system engineering) model of TRUTHS;
• coordinating closely with other sections to ensure consistency of the AOCS hardware development at satellite level with the mission needs;
• supervising all aspects of on-board software definition, development and verification, ensuring provision for the required observability, operability and maintainability features for the System and Ops team;
• assessing and reviewing the satellite architecture, design and verification, including identification and analysis of design drivers and options for cost/schedule optimisation, and taking account of sustainability aspects, for example by supporting life cycle analysis in coordination with the System team, the end-of-life and disposal phase and, more generally, implementation of ESA’s Clean Space policy;
• ensuring early definition and specification of GSE and test facilities for the satellite, taking particular care in identifying potential schedule conflicts with other programmes if re-use/sharing of GSE from other satellites is proposed by the industrial contractor;
• monitoring platform and satellite procurement industrial work, ensuring the timely resolution of any engineering-related non-conformance or anomaly requiring expert support for timely resolution;
• monitoring and reviewing AIT/AIV activities at satellite level to ensure their timely completion for the TRUTHS satellite;
• reviewing the schedule critical path, instigating timely corrective and/or recovery actions where necessary;
• supervising the definition and evolution of all engineering budgets and satellite interfaces, ensuring coherence with the payload interface and launcher constraints;
• ensuring coherence and compatibility between the satellite design and the launcher interface definition;
• coordinating the launcher interface definition for the TRUTHS launch and procurement of the launch service, including the launcher adapter, fostering the search for a potential small satellite co-passenger with the launcher authority;
• preparing and managing the launch campaign;
• supporting general project reporting tasks, such as weekly and monthly flashes and QSRs;
• supporting the build-up of, and subsequently leading, the Satellite and Engineering team, including the definition of day-to-day tasks and objectives as well as the setting of annual performance objectives and their assessment (including training needs), ensuring staff motivation and commitment to the project's goal.

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

Technical competencies
Experience of managing technical interfaces between platform, instruments and launcher both within ESA project team environment and for the industrial consortium

Experience with industrial procurement and the development of satellites, including platform, avionics subsystems, equipment, and their verification process, including concrete experience in B2CDE1

Experience in AIT/AIV and the management of reviews during satellite development

Knowledge of ESA Space system development and PA standards

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 a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements
You should, in addition, have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a multi-functional team;
• the ability to organise individual and team 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;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities. In addition, familiarity with MBSE (model-based system engineering) methods and techniques is considered an asset.

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.

Who we recruit »

Recruitment Process »

What we offer »

Life at ESA »

FAQ »

Apply now »