Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to empower Europe to lead space science. 

The Science Operations Department (SCI-S) within ESA’s Directorate of Science hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations, develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, and archives and curates their data during operations and beyond. Its main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.  

You will be assigned as IT Systems Architect under the direct responsibility of the Head of the Programmatic IT Section in the Data Science and Archives Division within SCI-S.

Duties

As an IT Systems Architect, you will be responsible for the planning, design, implementation, management, operations and evolution of all scientific and operations programmatic IT infrastructure and systems within the Science Operations Department in accordance with the ESA Security Directives and in balance with the cyber and security requirements from ESA space science missions.

You will work in close collaboration with ESA space science mission teams within the Directorate, as well as with ESA Corporate IT, the ESA Security Office, and the relevant ESA cyber and security teams.

Your specific responsibilities will include: 

• supporting the definition and establishment of the IT infrastructure roadmap in alignment with departmental and Science Operations Centre needs;
• defining, designing, implementing and operating the IT infrastructure services portfolio in alignment with the Department strategy and roadmap;
• producing high-level and detailed designs for IT infrastructure architectures and solutions, integrating all required systems, such as servers, storage, computing, virtual infrastructure, backup and other components, and considering future growth and scalability;
• evaluating and proposing appropriate technologies, hardware and software solutions for IT infrastructure;
• supporting the Project/System Security Officer (PSSO) and the Cyber Security Manager (CSM) for the Directorate of Science in guaranteeing compliance of departmental IT infrastructure with ESA’s security and cyber security framework and policies;
• managing all relevant interfaces for programmatic IT infrastructure within and external to the Directorate, in particular with ESA’s corporate IT department;
• taking technical responsibility for industrial and service contracts relating to programmatic IT infrastructure: coordinating and planning inputs and monitoring and evaluating the outputs of the contracts, ensuring they run within cost and to schedule;
• interfacing with IT infrastructure vendors, including support to procurement processes, performance monitoring and building positive relationships;
• monitoring and following technological and methodological trends in the field of IT;
• supporting programmatic IT innovation and fostering new IT infrastructure, maintaining a state-of-the-art expertise and placing emphasis on innovative concepts and agile prototyping.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

Education

A master’s degree in computer engineering, space science or space applications is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Assets for this position include:

• experience in managing complex IT-related projects;
• understanding of communication networks;
• experience in ESA procurement processes and contract management, as well as applied negotiation skills;
• knowledge of ESA corporate IT services;
• knowledge of ESA’s security policy and security framework.