Head of the Satellites Unit; Noordwijk, NL

Position: Head of the Small Satellites Unit (Noordwijk, NL)
Location: Noordwijk

Location   ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description   Head of the Small Satellites Section in the In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Division of the Systems Department, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.
Reporting directly to the Head of the In-Orbit Technology Demonstration Division, you will be responsible for managing the Section, its resources and its portfolio of activities. You will also serve as ESA’s focal point for small satellites systems engineering, small and innovative project management, and the associated technology developments, ensuring that the Agency remains at the forefront of rapid and innovative space missions.
As the Head of the Small Satellites Section, you will lead a dynamic team driving ESA’s small satellite strategy, shaping pioneering in-orbit demonstration and validation (IOD/IOV) missions, building Europe’s competitiveness in the global space sector, and preparing the next generation of space systems.
Duties   Within the technical domain defined above, your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:
Small Sat project preparation and implementation:
Leading Small Sat projects in coordination with the Technology Department and overseeing the preparation, approval and implementation of in-orbit demonstration and validation missions, ensuring delivery on time and within budget
Providing support to Small Sat activities across all ESA Directorates, the European Commission and other agencies
Anticipating trends, promoting innovative R&D activities, and integrating emerging technologies into demonstration missions in coordination with other engineering domains in the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality
Supporting the coordination of technology demonstration missions across the various programmes at ESA, engaging with European industry, research institutions, international partners and ESA Member States
Workload assessment and assignment:
Developing the Section’s multi-year activity plan, including required competencies and resource allocation
Setting annual objectives and managing or coordinating specialised technical support within the Section's domains of expertise, in close cooperation with functional managers
For projects supported by the Section, actively enhancing the agility and flexibility necessary to address short-notice and peak-period project resource requirements
Assuming accountability for all activities and resources assigned to the Section, and resolving any conflicts concerning the utilisation of the Section’s resources
Support management    Monitoring, measuring and reporting on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives
Being accountable to the hierarchy for all the daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives
Being accountable for the Section members' career management, as well as for performing individual performance assessments and merit recognition exercises, and for providing regular feedback
Expertise offering: management of tools/processes/working methods    Ensuring regular interaction between the Section members, supporting teamwork, the exchange of experience and lessons learned, as well as the gathering of feedback
Contributing to the continuous improvement of working procedures, tools, processes, expert working methods and delivery methods (lessons learned, knowledge management) and to the reflection on the evolution of the Section's role and activities
Contributing to the (independent) technical assessment capability and supporting project reviews
Representing the Agency in your area(s) of expertise within ESA and with external entities (industry, delegations, etc.)
Coordinating the dissemination of the Section’s results within and beyond ESA, in particular via conferences, workshops and R&D presentation days
R&D/technology management    In line with anticipated technology trends and project needs, defining, promoting and implementing the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities
Coordinating, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in your domain of expertise with the overall…