Moonlight Communications Space Segment Manager
Harwell, GB
Location
ECSAT, Harwell, United Kingdom
Description
Moonlight Communications Space Segment Manager in the Moonlight Programme Office within the Satellite Programmes Department in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (D/CSC).
The Moonlight LCNS Project is a public-private partnership (PPP) between ESA and industry, with ESA supporting the development of the infrastructure and ultimately procuring services from the industrial consortium. Moonlight LCNS has multiple segments (COM, NAV, Systems, User Terminals and Ground Segment), with implementation spread across multiple industrial team members.
Under the direct responsibility of the Moonlight Programme Manager in the D/CSC, you will be responsible for the Communications Space Segment and associated launch services of the Moonlight programme aimed toward 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 integrated into the Moonlight Programme Office, reporting to the Moonlight Programme Manager on a day-to-day basis.
You will manage the COM Space Segment Team. You will liaise closely with the Moonlight Lunar Comms and Navigation (LCNS) System Manager, the LCNS NAV Space Segment Manager (D/NAV), the LCNS Ground Segment Manager, the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS) and the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC), and will work 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;
- overseeing industrial work associated with the Communications Space Segment procurement, ensuring full compliance 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 and procurement aspects, such as Communications payload performance, budgets, margins and internal and external Communications Space Segment interfaces, industrial subcontracting, quality performance and industrial financial reporting;
- proactive monitoring of relevant schedules, identifying risk and problem areas, providing assessments and proposing mitigation actions;
- ensuring the readiness of Communications satellite 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 industry compliance and timely distribution of deliverable items from the Communications Space Segment to the Moonlight System and Ground Segment as well as other stakeholders (users);
- supporting the System Manager for service and system operational requirements and interfaces, design drivers, launch services and operational and performance indicators;
- supporting the development and verification of user terminals and further COM Space Segment technologies and products;
- 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 the Ground Segment Manager;
- identifying, leading and efficiently coordinating specialised engineering support from the Directorates of Operations and Technology, Engineering and Quality in the appropriate areas of competence;
- contribution 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.
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 discipline is required.
Additional requirements
- 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;
- A 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.
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.
Direct experience of working with a commercial telecommunications company and operator will be a distinct advantage.
Experience in public-private partnership projects would be an asset.
Experience of the challenges inherent in designing satellites for deep space missions will be seen as a bonus.
Public speaking experience and the ability to conceptualise complex ideas would be beneficial.
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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.
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.
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.