ESTRACK Maintenance & Operations Architect

Vacancy in the Directorate of Operations.

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.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

ESTRACK Maintenance & Operations Architect in the ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section (OPS-ONI) in the Ground Facilities Operations Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

Duties

You will report to the Head of the ESTRACK Stations and Infrastructure Section in the Ground Facilities Operations Division. This Section is responsible for the maintenance and operational management of the ESA Tracking Network (ESTRACK). You will actively engage in diverse strategic elements within the Section, specifically focusing on the governance and evolution of ESTRACK. Your main duties will include:

• the overall governance of integrated logistic support of ESTRACK with potential expansion to other areas within the Directorate;
• definition, organisation and evolution of the ESTRACK maintenance processes and programme, as well as the associated support tools (such as configuration and control, problem management, documentation management, and fixed asset and inventory management) ensuring the high availability of tracking service provision and efficient use of automation;
• management and supervision of industrial support contracts and service level agreements for supporting ESTRACK maintenance activities conducted by other ESOC entities and integrated logistics support services handled by the Section;
• assisting the Head of Section in defining and executing the ESTRACK evolution roadmap, with the aim of ensuring high-availability tracking services, in line with the performance and capacity requirements associated with ESA's mission model, as well as the commitments with relevant international partners;
• support for the analysis and operational implementation of ESTRACK transformation and innovation initiatives, such as optical communications, artificial intelligence (AI) and integration of new facilities (including calibration transponders and telescopes), within ESTRACK’s domain;
• analysis and implementation of ESTRACK commercialisation initiatives, fostering partnerships with relevant industrial partners to support the growth of European industry while enhancing the ESTRACK service portfolio;
• performance reviews of ESTRACK service provisioning, involving the representation of the ESTRACK Stations Section in the weekly operations review and anomaly review meetings, including screening of incidents for escalation to problem management, as well as the coordination of the problem management process in the role of process owner.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of architecture and design of ground stations dedicated to space mission support

In-depth experience in operations and maintenance of ground stations

Experience in management of procurements of industrial operational services as technical officer

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's degree in engineering or a scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• The ability to manage customer and supplier relations and/or service contracts is required. Previous experience in these domains would be beneficial;
• the ability to work independently and to present complex technical issues clearly and convincingly is essential for performing this function effectively;
• knowledge and hands-on experience of SAP software would be advantageous;
• you should be proactive, able to multitask and have strong self-motivation;
• good communication skills for handling a broad range of international interfaces and the ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary team are considered a must for this position;
• the potential to manage individuals or a team;
• 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.

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.

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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.