Ground Segment and User Terminal Procurement Coordinator

 

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Description

Ground Segment and User Terminal Procurement Coordinator in D2D Projects in the LEO Satellites Programme Office within the Satellite Programmes Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

Reporting to the D2D Mission Procurement Manager  you will coordinate the definition, development, integration, validation and operational readiness of the ground segment, including user terminals and software elements, facilitating commercial services supporting the ESA D2D Partnership Projects including ELEOSYS and SELYCE. 

Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity for Direct-to-Device (D2D) presents one of the greatest potential growth opportunities in satellite communications. The objective of the D2D partnership projects is to design, develop, qualify, integrate and validate innovative satellite payload, platform and ground network technologies using ESA Member States’ supply chain solutions in a pre-operational system showcasing emerging D2D services.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading all engineering activities related to the procurement, specification, design, development, qualification, acceptance and validation of the ground segment elements, within the agreed schedule, cost and technical requirements, including implementation of the applicable security requirements;
• leading the engineering, manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing activities of the overall ground segment, including the organisation and management of ground segment reviews;
• overseeing the transfer of ground segment systems to operations and supporting commissioning and routine operational phases, as well as evolutive maintenance and correction of in-orbit anomalies;
• ensuring consistency of requirements with detailed subsystem design, performance budgets and architectural choices;
• ensuring correct application of ESA, international and national standards;
• interfacing with industry counterparts to review contractors’ plans, system specifications, baseline system design, analyses and budgets, as well as implementation of activities;
• interfacing with industry counterparts to review contractors’ trade-offs, design drivers, technical and performance indicators, as well as internal and external system interfaces;
• supporting ESA mission/system level reviews and contributing to subsystem and cross-partner reviews;
• representing the discipline in reviews, milestones and cross functional coordination meetings;
• ensuring close coordination and support with other project team members and functions (including Product Assurance and Safety, Mission, Platform, Payload);
• processing non-conformances, software problem reports, waivers, deviations, requests for approval, anomalies and requirement closure data as well as supporting the evaluation of change notices within these terms of reference;
• contributing to the ESA procurement process (requests for quotation/invitations to tender data pack, Technical Evaluation Board and negotiations);
• monitoring proactively the overall project schedule, identifying risks and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions on both the industry and the ESA side;
• identifying challenges and opportunities associated with system evolutions and proposing corresponding updates to the mission architecture and interfaces;
• providing regular and ad hoc reporting to line management;
• contributing to the project’s communication and promotion activities.

Technical competencies

Several years of experience in satellite communications systems specification, design, development, verification, and end-to-end validation, ideally in the area of satellite constellationsSeveral years of experience in ground network architecture and software for LEO telecommunication satellitesKnowledge of ESA or large industrial procurement processes and contract negotiationKnowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
 

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline is required for this post together with 4 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience can be considered. 

Additional requirements

• Experience of working in a cross-functional team and in promoting innovation through a creative collaboration process
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills
• Ability to understand, and to clearly and concisely communicate complex technical issues to the team and external parties
• Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications prime contractor and/or operator would be a distinct advantage. Experience with ESA’s Partnership Projects would be an asset.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.
 
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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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 are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia. 

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.