Workplace:
Noordwijk, NL
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
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:
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.
Within the technical domains defined above, your tasks and responsibilities as a manager will include the following:
R&D/technology management:
General and leadership:
Talent management:
Expertise offering: management of tools/processes/working methods:
Laboratories:
Support management:
Workload assessment and assignment:
Interface management:
You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.
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.
A master’s degree or Ph.D. in computer science, aerospace engineering, physics or a related field with a focus on simulation and modelling.
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:
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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
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.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements