Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section

Job Requisition ID: 19121

Date Posted: 13 November 2024

Application Deadline: 4 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
Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section in the Future Engineering Division, Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

Reporting to the Head of the Future Engineering Division, you, as Head of the Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section, will oversee the development, validation and optimisation of complex simulation environments, digital models and verification means tailored for space applications. Your role will involve guiding a team of experts to push the boundaries of modelling and simulation, fostering innovation, and ensuring that our engineering methodologies are at the forefront of the industry.

The Modelling and Simulation Excellence Section leads the Agency’s centre of excellence for data and information modelling, advanced simulation methods and software applications in support of the tools and infrastructure used for system design, analysis and verification, in particular covering:

• advanced simulation technologies
• data modelling and ontologies
• databases and tools to support procedure engineering and automation of processes
• data management technologies
• test benches and applications required for system verification, including EGSE and ground system software
• advanced human computer interaction, including extended reality and UX design
• support for ESA projects and programme directorates with expertise within the scope of the Section, including specification and development in all phases of a project

You will be responsible for the management of the Section, its resources and its activities. You will also interface with all ESA programmes to anticipate and prepare the Agency for future technical competences and tools in your domain. In addition, you will be accountable within the Agency for the outcome of operational activities conducted within the Section’s technical domains.

Finally, you will be required to carry out and contribute to operational activities within the Section’s technical domains, in line with the implementation of the matrix structure for project support. You will also actively support the Agency’s digitalisation initiatives within the Section’s technical domains.

Duties
Within the technical domains defined above, your tasks and responsibilities as a manager will include the following:

R&D/technology management:

• In line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities;
• Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in your domain of expertise with the overall requirements of systems being developed under the responsibility of other areas in the Directorate;
• Liaising with relevant technology expert groups and coordination mechanisms.

General and leadership:

• Ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Section;
• Communicating ESA values and ensuring compliance with all ESA policies;
• Establishing good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisations both inside and outside the Agency.

Talent management:

• Maintaining state-of-the-art expertise in the Section by identifying, developing, maintaining and tracking the technical competences needed to meet current and future strategic needs;
• Driving the development of people within your area of responsibility;
• Managing staff functional mobility and changes (arrivals, departures, reassignments, probation and contract extensions) with minimum disruption to the activities of the Section.

Expertise offering: management of tools/processes/working methods:

• Ensuring regular interaction between the Section members, supporting teamwork, the exchange of experience and lessons learned, and the gathering of feedback;
• Contributing to the independent technical assessment capability and supporting project reviews;
• Representing the Agency in your areas of expertise within ESA and with external entities (industry, delegations, etc.);
• Coordinating the dissemination of the Section’s results within and beyond ESA, in particular via conferences, workshops and R&D presentation days.

Laboratories:

• Assuming the technical responsibility for the Modelling and Simulation Laboratory.

Support management:

• Monitoring, measuring and reporting on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives;
• Being accountable to the hierarchy for all the daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives.

Workload assessment and assignment:

• Establishing the multi-year plan of activities for the Section, covering required competences and assignment of resources;
• Establishing annual objectives and managing/coordinating on a day-to-day basis specialised technical support in the Section’s fields of expertise, in full collaboration with the functional managers;
• Actively contributing to increasing the agility/flexibility required to meet the short-notice and peak-period resource needs of projects;
• Being accountable for all activities and resources delegated to the Section, and for resolving possible conflicting demands on the use of the Section’s resources.

Interface management:

• Coordinating the evolution of the standards in the context of the ECSS system that is related to the technical domains of the Section.

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

Technical competencies
General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position

Experience in supporting space projects throughout all mission phases, in particular B2CDE

Knowledge of the industrial landscape and ability to define technology development roadmaps identifying future trends in technology requirements

Experience in driving R&D activities

Knowledge of ESA technology programmes would be an asset

Experience in procurement processes and contract management as well as applied negotiation skills.

Resource management experience

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

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

Education
A master’s degree or Ph.D. in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or a related field with a focus on simulation and modelling.

Additional requirements
Solid experience related to the technical domains of the Section is required, as well as in the definition and specification of technology R&D activities. Applicants should also have substantial experience in relevant fields of design and technology development.

In addition, you should have the following:

• The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts in a project or R&D 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 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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