Software Product Assurance Engineer

Overview

Provide expert support and consultancy for ESA projects' software product assurance

You have:

• A master’s degree in computer science, mathematics or software engineering is required for this post.
• Experience in software product assurance in critical real-time applications is required.
• Experience in software engineering is required.
• Experience in software configuration management is required.
• Experience in dependability assessment of software-intensive systems is required.
• Experience with Space Quality Standards and their preparation and implementation is required.
• Some knowledge in Agile practices would be considered an asset for this position.
• Some knowledge in Quality assurance for machine learning models would be considered an asset for this position.
• Some knowledge in Big data software architectures and life cycles would be considered an asset for this position.

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Software Product Assurance Engineer in the Software Product Assurance (PA) Section, Quality, Dependability and PA Support Division, Product Assurance and Safety Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

The Section provides functional support to ESA projects and is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of software PA expertise and standards. It carries out technological research (R&D) in software PA requirements, techniques, methodologies and tools. It also collaborates on standardisation and training activities.

Duties

You will report to the Head of Section and, within the technical fields described above, your main tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing expert technical support and consultancy to ESA projects, which includes involvement in major project reviews and, where applicable, boards and panels; • supporting projects in monitoring contractor software PA programme execution to ensure compliance with software PA requirements; • preparing and implementing general programmatic and technical software PA requirements in line with Agency standards and specifications; • establishing project-specific programmatic and technical software PA requirements based on the ESA PA baseline; • supporting projects in evaluating contractor documentation and efforts proposed for the execution of software PA programmes; • evaluating proposed concepts, designs and operations for compliance with defined software PA requirements in order to include the performance of associated audits; • defining, initiating and managing R&D activities (software PA requirements, techniques, methodologies and tools) covering long- and short-term needs; • supporting and, at the line management’s request, participating in the Directorate’s competence domain activities; • auditing contractors and their in-house standards for compliance with ESA requirements, assessing the maturity of their software processes; • liaising with related engineering and PA specialists regarding overlapping areas of activity; • monitoring applicable scientific and technological trends and maintaining state-of-the-art expertise.

Your duties may also include supporting other activities within your field of competence. You will also act as the Section’s focal point for security assurance matters.

Technical competencies

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

Understanding of related technologies, R&D trends and familiarity with the industrial landscape

Project support experience in a relevant domain

Experience with the application of software product assurance tools and methods

Experience in the management and monitoring of industrial activities, including participation in reviews

Experience with Space Quality Standards and their preparation and implementation

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in computer science, mathematics or software engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Experience in at least three of the following areas is required: software product assurance in critical real-time applications, software engineering, software configuration management, dependability assessment of software-intensive systems, software development and maintenance, software process assessment and auditing, and software security assurance.

Some knowledge in the following areas would be considered an asset for this position: - Agile practices - Quality assurance for machine learning models - Big data software architectures and life cycles - Data quality assurance - Hands-on experience of static code analysis and tools - Alternative software development life cycles, continuous integration and tools - Security assurance and security best practices - System security analysis, design and associated tools - Security accreditation and certification methodologies and processes

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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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.esa.int