Description

Under the direct responsibility of the Moonlight Programme Manager in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications, you will be responsible for the communications space segment and associated launch services of the Moonlight programme aiming towards the development of a dedicated lunar-based communications and navigation infrastructure and the provision of the associated lunar services. 
You will ensure the satisfactory implementation of the communications space segment of the Moonlight programme in accordance with the defined cost, schedule and technical objectives. You will be part of the Moonlight Programme Office, reporting to the Moonlight Programme Manager on a day-to-day basis.
You will manage the Communications Space Segment Team. You will liaise closely with the Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation (LCNS) System Manager, the Moonlight NAV Space Segment Manager (D/NAV), the LCNS Ground Segment Manager, and the Directorates of Operations (D/OPS) and Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC), as well as working closely with the LCNS project industry teams.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• leading, managing and motivating the Moonlight Communications Space Segment Team;
• managing the development, qualification and acceptance verification of the communications space segment, including the associated platform, payload and launch services, as well supporting user terminal development and verification along with other communications space segment technologies and products;
• overseeing the industrial work associated with the communications space segment procurement, ensuring full compiance with technical, programmatic and schedule requirements;
• acting as the focal point for the communications space segment industrial activities, including industry level reviews;
• assuming responsibility for communications space segment requirements and specifications, design definition and justification, performance indicators and operational concepts, including the FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation and Recovery) strategy and ensuring their alignment with the system requirements and specifications;
• managing the communications space segment engineering aspects, such as communications payload performance, budgets, margins and internal and external communications space segment interfaces;
• ensuring the readiness of communications satellites technology developments for the space segment;
• managing the communications space segment manufacturing, assembly, integration, launch campaign and verification and on-ground pre-validation activities with an emphasis on the end-to-end performance;
• monitoring the compliance and timely distribution of deliverable items from the communications space segment to the Moonlight system and ground segment as well as other stakeholders;
• supporting the System Manager for service and system operational requirements and interfaces, design drivers, launch services and operational and performance indicators;
• ensuring the coherence of the communications space segment with the security-related aspects and requirements, coordinating with the Project/System Security Officer (PSSO), industry and the external stakeholders, as well as supporting the successful conduct of the internal ESA security certification process;
• supporting the end-to-end system integration, testing and service validation in coordination with the System Manager and Ground Segment Manager;
• assuming responsibility for the evolution of the communications space segment beyond the in-orbit verification and validation of the first elements, paying due attention to its operational significance for ESA and partner missions and commercial service provision cost-effectiveness;
• supporting the industry tailoring and leading the subsequent application of communications space segment-related ECSS, international and industry standards;
• ensuring close cooperation on satellite-to-launcher interface activities, including potential ESA-provided launch or rideshare activities;
• technical responsibility for communications space segment anomaly-handling, NRBs, the NCR process and RFDs/RFWs, among other things, in close coordination with all other relevant disciplines and in close cooperation with the PA&S Manager;
• definition and management of space segment R&D activities that are complementary to Moonlight, as well as interoperability and standardisation;
• proactive monitoring of relevant schedules, identifying risk and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions;
• identifying, leading and efficiently coordinating specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Operations and Technology, Engineering and Quality in the appropriate areas of competence.

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 discipline is required; a Master of Business Administration would be considered a plus.

Additional requirements

Additionally your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• contributing to regular and ad hoc reporting to the Moonlight Joint Management Team, ESA Directorate and Programme Board;
• supporting other activities of the Department as required and relevant to your experience.

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

You should, in addition, have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting;
• the ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

Experience in managing complex space programmes up to launch and in-orbit testing, preferably in the telecommunications domain, would be desirable.
Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and operator would be a distinct advantage.
Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset.
Previous 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 various functional areas relevant to ESA activities.