Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the conception, design, implementation and operations of the mission operations ground segment and the spacecraft operations for ESA missions that travel in interplanetary space, typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of mission.

You will be assigned to the Mars Exploration Missions Operations Unit and report hierarchically to the Head of Unit. You will be assigned to the Argonaut and Moonlight missions and report functionally to the Head of Unit.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

assisting the Spacecraft Operations Manager(s) (SOM) in the definition, preparation and execution of the missions operations assigned to the Unit(s), including nominal, special and contingency operations, spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution, performance evaluation and reporting;
performing the role of acting SOM if and when delegated;
assisting the SOM(s) in the specification, development, validation, maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
interfacing with other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external centres and/or agencies for all aspects related to your area of responsibility;
providing support to the SOM(s)/Head of Unit in discharging the Units’ mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit/Division. This may include participation in reviews, preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, the Division or the Department, and support to other Directorate or ESA activities.

Technical competencies

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

Knowledge of mission, spacecraft and/or payload operations

Understanding of development and maintenance of ground infrastructure and/or software systems

Knowledge of large operations and associated software systems, preferably space-based

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

Previous experience in mission operations of interplanetary missions and knowledge of relay communications and surface operations will be considered an asset.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Please note that applications are only 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*.

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.