Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

The Gateway is a small space station that will orbit the Moon in a near-rectilinear halo orbit. Its construction began at the end of 2022 to support the return of humans to the lunar south pole by the end of this decade.

The Gateway Programme, which is part of the Artemis Programme, is based on a partnership between NASA, ESA, JAXA and CSA, with a contribution from MBRSC (UAE). The Gateway assembly, crew visits and logistics resupply will be performed using commercial launchers, NASA’s space launch system, the Orion crew vehicle and various commercial launch services. The Lunar Lander and other future elements will be docked to the Gateway for the time of the mission.

As part of the Gateway Project, the Agency will design, develop and operate the following elements: 

• the International Habitation module (I-Hab) 
• the European Systems Providing Refuelling, Infrastructure and Telecommunications (ESPRIT), composed of the HLCS (High Data Rate Lunar Communication System) and ERM (European Refuelling Module)
• scientific, medical and technology payloads, to be installed in different elements at the Gateway

The Gateway Project will also be responsible for sustaining engineering and operations at the Gateway for 15 years after launch for I-Hab and ESPRIT, and for the in-orbit lifetime of the payloads.

For programmatic reasons, the Agency’s contributions are based on hardware provided by NASA, CSA and JAXA.

Duties

You will be responsible for:

• implementing the Gateway Project elements within budget and schedule, as directed by the Lunar Projects Group Leader;
• managing and executing industrial contracts for the development, verification, launch and operation of the I-Hab and ESPRIT (HLCS and ERM) elements; 
• implementing all project elements, including interfaces between the Gateway, launcher/transfer vehicle, utilisation, visiting vehicles and the ground systems of international partners;
• overseeing all aspects related to the ground segment and mission operations throughout all mission phases of the ESA-provided Gateway elements (Phases B/C/D/E/F); 
• ensuring the consistency, technical suitability and timely availability of contributed elements from NASA, CSA, JAXA and MBRSC and implementing the partner agency cooperation agreement and maintenance;
• representing ESA at the various relevant Gateway Working Groups and technical boards;
• supporting and/or representing the Gateway Programme Manager in the Gateway programmatic boards (note: the Gateway Programme Manager function will remain with the Lunar Projects Group Leader until further notice);
• leading project team activities to confirm the Gateway Project elements’ design meets the agreed technical and programmatic requirements;
• ensuring at all times that appropriate definitions and information are available to all project participants so that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework;
• chairing ESPRIT and I-Hab project engineering and contract change boards, or their equivalent, and supporting the Technical Officers from the other Gateway Project elements;
• providing reports to HRE management on the Gateway Project elements’ project status and inputs for discussion with Member States;
• participating in other Directorate and Lunar Projects Group tasks as requested.

As you will be responsible for managing a team of engineers and support staff, your people management responsibilities will include:

• driving performance, by taking responsibility for delivering high quality individual and team results; 
• developing and motivating team members by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and providing regular feedback;
• supporting team members in their professional improvement and development efforts;
• fostering cooperation both within the Team and with relevant interfaces across ESA;
• acting as a role model, exemplifying ESA’s values;
• defining and communicating a clear strategy for team objectives in line with overall project priorities.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies

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

A master’s degree in a relevant engineering domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Proven experience in the area of project management and system engineering is required. In addition, you should have:

• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and integrity, as well as the capacity to support others (team members, upper management or other stakeholders) in this process;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the project and to relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written; 
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• excellent disposition for reporting to the hierarchical chain.

Experience of managing managers and multiple teams would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.