Head of Mission Analysis Section
Darmstadt, DE
Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany
Description
Head of the Mission Analysis Section in the Flight Dynamics Division, Ground Systems Engineering and Innovation Department, Directorate of Operations.
You will report to the Head of the Flight Dynamics Division and lead the mission analysis activities supporting future projects, ground segment design and operations preparation. These currently encompass terrestrial, lunar, interplanetary and libration point missions.
The emphasis of the activities is on orbit-related analysis, such as operational orbit selection, design and optimisation of low- and high-trust transfer trajectories (including rocket ascent and descent trajectories), computation of atmospheric entry trajectories, launch window and target definition, fuel budget analysis, prediction of orbit-derived data, navigation analysis, design of satellite constellations and formation flight. Lunar surface analysis is a non-orbital field required for future lunar landers and rovers.
These mission analysis solutions are provided by a technical team of ESA staff and industrial services.
Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
- leading an international team of expert staff and coordinating the work of industrial service teams;
- ensuring a positive and motivating working environment for the Section;
- maintaining and developing the expertise and technical competence of the Section’s members to meet current and future strategic needs, taking into account their motivation, aspirations and professional development;
- negotiating and agreeing mission-analysis activities in terms of levels of support and required resources in close cooperation with the Ground Segment Manager in ESOC’s Mission Operations Department and the project/study managers in the relevant directorates;
- leading and coordinating mission-analysis activities in close cooperation with the Flight Dynamics Team, the flight control teams of the Mission Operations Department and the project/study teams in the relevant directorates;
- leading the development and maintenance of the software tools needed to carry out the requested mission analysis activities in close cooperation with the rest of the Flight Dynamics Division;
- defining and conducting R&D activities in the area of mission analysis with a focus on future project needs in close cooperation with other ESA units working in astrodynamics within and external to the Directorate of Operations;
- managing work packages carried out by service providers under the Division’s framework contracts;
- contributing to the ongoing refurbishment of the flight dynamics systems and to the evolution of the flight dynamics system infrastructure, in line with divisional policy and in collaboration with the relevant units;
- establishing and maintaining good working relationships and technical networks with users, project groups and other organisational bodies both within and external to the Agency;
- supporting standardisation efforts;
- maintaining a high level of expertise within the Section in all areas of competence.
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
*(esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/careers/ESA_Competency_Framework.pdf)
Education
A master's degree in mathematics, physics or a relevant engineering discipline is required for this post.
Additional requirements
You must have several years of relevant experience in mission analysis. Experience in flight dynamics operations will be a strong advantage.
Furthermore, you should have:
- the potential to manage individuals or a team of experts in mission analysis;
- 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;
- a strong results 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.
People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.