Young Graduate Trainee in Copernicus Sentinels Spacecraft Flight Operations

Young Graduate Opportunity 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 F1 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location

ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Our team and mission

The Copernicus Programme is headed by the European Commission in partnership with ESA, that has developed and is developing a family of satellites representing the space segment of Copernicus, called Sentinels.

Within the ESA Directorate of Operations, the Earth Observation Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation, and operations of the Flight Operations Ground Segment and for the spacecraft flight operations of the Copernicus Sentinels missions entrusted to ESA. Currently these include Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Sentinel-3 (only from launch to Commissioning), Sentinel-5P and Sentinel-6 (only for the Launch and Early Operations Phase). The division is currently preparing the launch of the C models of the Sentinels (foreseen between 2024 and 2026) and of the Copernicus Expansion missions.

In achieving its goals, the division is frequently interacting with other divisions and sections of ESOC, that support the flight operations, and with the ESA Earth Observation Directorate, that is its prime customer.

You are encouraged to visit the ESA website: http://www.esa.int

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship

You will be assigned to the Copernicus Sentinels Optical Imaging Missions Operations Unit, that is responsible for Sentinel-2, LSTM and CHIME. Under the supervision of the Sentinel-2 Spacecraft Operations Manager, you will integrate within the assigned Flight Control Team and among other activities, you will be trained to support:

• planning and execution of the Commissioning of Sentinel-2C and its ramp up to full operational configuration within the mission constellation;
• adaptation and evolution of operational tools in support to the Sentinels flight operations;
• verification and validation of operational products, e.g. flight operations procedures, mission control system, operational simulators;

At the end of your experience, you will be:

• fully familiar with ESA, ESOC, D/OPS missions and flight operations segment, with relevance to Earth Observation missions, through a fully “hands-on” job experience provided by this traineeship;
• fully familiar with Earth Observation satellite operational concepts and flight operations;
• proficient in deriving the requirements and implementation of elements of the flight operations segment from the operational needs of the mission;
• proficient in the use of one or more operational tools and products;
• proficient in organising and efficiently executing your work in autonomy and within a team of engineers.

Technical competencies

Knowledge of relevant technical domains

Relevant experience gained during internships/project work

Breadth of exposure coming from past and/or current research/activities

Knowledge of ESA and its programmes/projects

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education

You should have just completed, or be in the final year of your Master’ s degree in engineering.

Additional requirements

You should have good interpersonal and communication skills and should be able to work in a multicultural environment, both independently and as part of a team.

Familiarity with Python programming language is considered an advantage.

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.

During the interview motivation and overall professional perspective/career goals will also be explored.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information on the Young Graduate Programme please visit: Young Graduate Programme and FAQ Young Graduate Programme

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, and the United Kingdom. Nationals from Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as Associate Member States, or Canada as a Cooperating State, can apply as well as those from Bulgaria, Croatia and Cyprus as European Cooperating States (ECS).

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 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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.