Head of the Space Segment Section

Location

ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Head of the Space Segment Section, Technology and Products Management Division, Future Missions Department, Directorate for Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing activities devoted to the development of telecommunication space segment technology and products.

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Technologies and Products Management Division, the Head of the Space Segment Section is responsible for:

• initiating, implementing and managing activities devoted to the development of satellite space (payload and platform) segment technology and products for the satellite communication market funded by ARTES Industrial Competitiveness (IC), as well as by the Strategic Programme Lines;
• providing regular technical, programmatic and financial reporting to ESA management and ESA Member State delegations;
• managing the Section, including the preparation of manpower plans and resource requirements;
• providing engineering support to projects and activities with an emphasis on the adoption of innovative and disruptive technologies in the satellite communication domain;
• identifying and defining technology needs for future satellite communication space segment products and their associated roadmaps;
• coordinating the required support provided by other ESA organisational units, such as the Directorate of Operations, the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality and the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership;
• supporting the preparation of the yearly ESA-initiated ARTES workplans;
• establishing close collaboration with other functional elements of the Department and Directorate as necessary;
• supporting the promotion of the ARTES IC programme and the ARTES socioeconomic impact analysis;
• supporting the development and maintenance of dashboards for the monitoring and control of internal resources.

Experience in managing and monitoring technology and product development activities carried out by industry for satellite communication applications

Knowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processes

Knowledge of the satcom market and associated technology trends in the space segment domain

Background in the technical domains covered by the position

Experience of interacting with the space industry, ESA Member State delegations and stakeholders

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

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

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 8 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.

• The potential to manage individuals or a team;
• The ability to organise individual and team 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;
• A strong result 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.

Experience in managing complex research and development programmes, preferably in the telecommunications domain, is desirable

ESA is an…