Head of the Satellites Unit

Head of the Small Satellites Unit
Job

Requisition

Date Posted: 23 June 2026

Closing Date: 22 July 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:
Internal & External

Type of Appointment: 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate:
Technology, Engineering and Quality

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 manage the Section, its resources and its portfolio of activities. You will also serve as ESA’s focal point for small satellite 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 missions, building Europe’s competitiveness in the global space sector, and preparing the next generation of space systems.

Duties

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 and promoting innovative R&D:  Integrating emerging technologies into demonstration missions in coordination with other engineering domains.

Supporting coordination of technology demonstration missions:  Engaging with European industry, research institutions, international partners and ESA Member States.

Workload assessment and assignment

Develop the Section’s multi-year activity plan, including required competencies and resource allocation.

Set annual objectives and manage or coordinate specialised technical support within the Section’s domains of expertise in cooperation with functional managers.

Enhance agility and flexibility to address short-notice and peak-period project resource requirements.

Assume accountability for all activities and resources assigned to the Section and resolve conflicts concerning resource utilisation.

Support management

Monitor, measure and report on performance at individual and team level, in particular regarding the Section’s objectives.

Be accountable to the hierarchy for all daily matters within the Section and for the achievement of the Section’s objectives.

Be accountable for the Section members’ career management, perform individual performance assessments and merit recognition exercises, and provide regular feedback.

Expertise offering: management of tools/processes/working methods

Ensure regular interaction between Section members, support teamwork, exchange of experience and lessons learned, and gather feedback.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of working procedures, tools, processes, expert working methods and delivery methods (lessons learned, knowledge management) and reflect on the evolution of the Section’s role and activities.

Contribute to the (independent) technical assessment capability and support project reviews.

Represent the Agency in your area(s) of expertise within ESA and with external entities.

Coordinate the dissemination of the Section’s results within and beyond ESA, via conferences, workshops and R&D presentation days.

R&D/technology management

Define, promote and implement the Section’s contributions to ESA technology programmes and R&D activities in line with anticipated technology trends and project needs.

Coordinate, where applicable, the requirements of technology elements in your domain with the overall requirements of systems developed in other areas of the Directorate.

Liaise with relevant technology expert groups and coordination mechanisms.

General and leadership

Ensure a positive and motivating working environment for the Section.

Communicate ESA values and ensure…