Head of the Systems Analysis Section

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

The System Analysis Section provides support to all Earth Observation missions across all mission phases, from early studies to disposal. It conducts studies to improve performance in the domains of mission analysis and mission planning, with the most prominent ones including geometry calculations, orbit and attitude definition, orbit and attitude control strategy, mission data downlink strategy, fuel budget and formation flying.

The scope of these studies covers the mission implementation phases before launch to support improvements to the mission design. They also cover the commissioning and routine operations phases after launch to support corrections of anomalies or mission definition changes.

You will be responsible to ensure allocation of competent manpower to adequately cover:

• performance assessment/improvement studies performed for Earth Observation missions at the request of the mission engineers and scientists;
• performance improvement studies proposed by the System Analysis Section, based on the extensive experience accumulated over several decades by the office team.

You will report functionally to the Head of the System Support Division.

Duties

Specifically, your tasks will include:

• conducting, reviewing and consolidating system analysis tasks for Earth Observation missions in the above domains;
• providing expert support, as required, to the Future Missions Managers during Phase A of the missions;
• providing expert support, as required, to the Satellite Managers during Phase B-C-D-E1 of the missions;
• supporting operations teams during the launch preparation, LEOP and commissioning phases;
• providing expert support, as required, to the Mission Managers during Phase E2-F of the missions;
• consolidating and applying standard work methods and subsequent document structures for mission and system analysis;
• managing the software contracts for the key software tools procured by the division to support the system analysis tasks (with these tools also made available to our partners);
• participating in key mission reviews to provide expert advice to the mission teams and, if appropriate, propose analysis studies.

When performing your duties, you will be required to:

• interface with mission engineers and scientists to define and report on the relevant studies;
• interface with the Flight Dynamics teams in the Directorate of Operations to ensure the proper coordination and sharing of system analysis tasks, as necessary;
• interface with the Post-Launch teams in the System Support Division to define and report on the Phase E2-F-relevant studies;
• support the satellite teams in interfacing with the launcher teams;
• interface with software experts in the System Support Division to ensure proper software definition and quality for the software tools developed by 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

Experience with end-to-end mission and system analysis in Earth Observation, including space and ground elements

Knowledge of mission analysis software tools

Knowledge and experience of on-board operations, orbit and attitude control, and space-to-ground data communications

Knowledge and experience of mission planning systems, and S-, X- and Ka-Band ground station usage (geometry, interference)

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in in an engineering field or related subject is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should further have:

• Experience with negotiating with partners on the precise needs of a study and the expected outputs;
• Strong coordination skills;
• The capacity to develop and apply pragmatic solutions in an environment of high complexity (at system and team organisation levels);
• The ability to specify and implement ad-hoc software tools to support the required tasks;

• The ability to provide clear synthetic reports;

• The potential to manage individuals or a team;

• 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 results 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 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.

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.

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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Added 29 days ago - Updated 4 hours ago - Source: jobs.esa.int