Mission Manager

Mission Manager – D2D Project, LEO Satellites Programme

Location:

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands.

Reporting to the D2D Project Manager, the Mission Manager is responsible for managing the overall D2D mission, including the end‑to‑end system, ground and user segments.

Responsibilities

Managing the end‑to‑end mission, including procurement, specification, design, development, qualification, acceptance, deployment, on‑ground verification and in‑orbit validation of the system and all its segments and services.

Leading the definition, architecture, development, integration and validation of the system, including the ground and user segments and services, ensuring alignment of mission performances with system engineering requirements.

Interfacing with industry counterparts to review contractors’ plans, system specifications, baseline system design, analyses and budgets, and implementing activities.

Interfacing with industry counterparts to review the contractors’ concept of operations, trade‑offs, design drivers, technical and performance indicators, and system internal and external interfaces.

Managing the transfer of the system to operations and supporting commissioning and routine operational phases, including evolutive maintenance and correction of in‑orbit anomalies.

Coordinating the technical activities for all system elements procurements, including technical specifications, service requirements and suppliers.

Leading the preparation and implementation of all ESA corporate mission/system‑level reviews, in cooperation with the project team and supporting other project team members in lower‑level reviews.

Representing the mission disciplines in reviews, milestones and cross‑functional coordination meetings.

Supporting the industry tailoring of ECSS, international and industry standards, and leading their subsequent application.

Managing the application of space‑debris, eco‑design and security standards in accordance with ESA’s applicable internal policies.

Ensuring close coordination and support with other project team members and functions (such as Product Assurance and Safety, Platform and Payload).

Processing non‑conformances, software problem reports, waivers, deviations, requests for approval, anomalies and requirement closure data, and supporting the evaluation of change notices.

Contributing to ESA procurement processes (RfQ/ITT data pack, TEB, negotiations).

Monitoring proactively the overall project schedule, identifying risks and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions from industry and ESA.

Supporting the completion of system, ground and user segment activities within schedule, specifications and budget.

Identifying challenges and opportunities associated with mission evolution and proposing corresponding updates to the mission architecture and interfaces.

Leading and coordinating the CSC system team and specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Technology, Engineering and Quality and Operations.

Providing regular and ad‑hoc reporting to the Project Manager.

Contributing to the Project’s communications and promotion activities.

Additionally, the Mission Manager is responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in their area of responsibility.

Technical Competencies

Several years of experience in satcom system, ground and user segment procurement, specification, design, development, verification and end‑to‑end validation, ideally in satellite constellations.

Experience with 5G/6G telecom networks, including large‑scale ground software developments.

Knowledge of the ESA procurement process and contract negotiation.

Knowledge of space mission development and product assurance standards.

Knowledge of complex project risk management, industrial costs and schedule control.

Behavioural Competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

Education and Professional Experience
A master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline is required with 10 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree complemented by an…