System and Applications Engineer

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

You will report to the Head of the Ground Segment Multi-Mission Operational Systems Section (OPS-GAM) of the System and Applications Engineering Division in the Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Multi-Mission Operational Systems Section is responsible for:

• space mission monitoring and control (M&C) applications covering spacecraft commanding, telemetry processing and archiving;
• mission planning (MPS) covering planning and scheduling of operational activities;
• other related applications required for operations.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• the development, evolution and maintenance of mission ground systems focusing on mission monitoring and control applications and related applications. This includes:
  • definition of the ground system and software requirements in cooperation with the stakeholders, including mission-specific requirements for the ground segment systems;
  • design of multi-mission systems evolution;
  • definition and monitoring of the related industrial procurement contracts and service contracts;
  • verification, validation and acceptance of industrial deliveries;
  • collection and implementation of lessons learned as appropriate;
  • management of system evolution and maintenance services;
  • application of appropriate configuration management to the deployed systems;
  • support of stakeholders as required during the different mission phases;
• system engineering of current- and future-generation mission systems, including mission Phase-A activities relating to mission systems;
• management and provision of the user support and maintenance services;
• undertaking technology development activities, experimentation in the laboratory, pre- development and in-orbit demonstration in related fields to bring innovation in mission systems for the benefit of missions and projects;
• supporting standardisation activities.

Within the above scope, this particular post will focus on:

• system engineering activities related to ESA next generation Monitoring and Control System (MCS-NG) including decision making on technology roadmaps and system evolution plans covering both the Monitoring and Control system and related systems;
• project management activities of Monitoring and Control systems related projects;
• adoption of the European Ground Systems Common Core (EGS-CC) in the ESA next-generation monitoring and control system platform (MCS-NG), including roll out to current and future missions;
• systems for preparing operational artefacts, including tailoring data and procedures;
• building a true multi-mission single source solution on top of the ESOC multi-mission generation (EGOS-MG) environments for testing and operations;
• promotion of automation in all relevant areas.

Technical competencies

European Ground Systems Common Core (EGS-CC) and/or the associated tailoring data model

Spacecraft operations and/or operational systems

Modern software engineering

Data processing and archiving technologies

Automation and mission planning systems

Data analytics

Security in software systems

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Background or experience in:

• project management
• procurement of industrial services
• experience in working within complex inter-organisational projects.

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. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

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.