Copernicus Sentinel-6 and Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography System and Operations Manager

Description

The Sentinel-6 (S6) and Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography (S3 NGT) missions are implemented under the Copernicus Programme. 

The Sentinel-6 mission comprises two satellites, the first of which was launched in 2020 while the second is currently in its final testing campaign and expected to be launched by the end of 2025. The procurement of a third satellite is planned, with the tentative goal of launching towards the end of the decade.

The Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography (S3 NGT) mission will ensure the enhanced continuity in the 2030s of the Copernicus Sentinel-3 topography measurements for sea surfaces, cryosphere and hydrology targets. The S3 NGT payload features a latest-generation nadir altimeter, and a novel swath altimeter first applied in an operational mission. Both are supported by a multi-beam, multi-channel microwave radiometer for wet tropospheric corrections and state-of-the-art POD instruments. The S3 NGT project has completed Phase A/B1 and is beginning Phase B2/C/D implementation which includes collaboration with various international organisations and national space agencies.

Working in the Copernicus S6 and S3 NGT Project Team, Copernicus Space Segment Programme, Earth Observation Projects Department, Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes, and reporting to the S6/S3 NGT Project Manager, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the system requirements derived from the mission requirements, ensuring their traceability and monitoring their implementation and compliance verification, in particular at interface level. You will also be responsible for coordinating the definition of the operations concept as well as the preparation and execution of operations during all phases up to and including in-orbit commissioning (end of Phase E1).

You will report to the Sentinel-6 and Sentinel-3 NGT Project Manager for all technical and programmatic matters and will work within the S6 and S3 NGT Project Team.

You will work in close cooperation with other engineers working on the S6 and S3-NGT projects, and will coordinate specialized technical support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).

Duties

Your principal tasks and responsibilities, covering both the Sentinel-6 satellites and Sentinel-3 NGT satellites, will include the following:

• establishing, consolidating and maintaining the S3-NGT system requirements derived from the mission requirements, ensuring their traceability and monitoring their implementation and compliance verification, in particular at interface level;
• consolidating the system definition (system architecture and interfaces) and associated mission analysis, ensuring compliance with space segment system and operations interface requirements;
• coordinating the definition and implementation of the mission operations concept to be used in support of the space segment design and in-orbit commissioning, taking into account the extension/deployment of a multi-satellite constellation missions, the Copernicus Flight Operations Segment and Copernicus Ground Segment frameworks; 
• monitoring the space-ground system architecture and interface implementation as well as the launcher interface;
• monitoring the timely completion of the implementation of the Space to Ground interfaces covering both TT&C and Instruments data downlink activities and liaising with Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment for the establishment of mission-specific services; 
• monitoring the system-related industrial work to ensure that the relevant performance of all satellite functional chains is suitable for the mission;
• ensuring overall verification compliance and consistency between mission requirements and space segment system requirements by liaising with the Spacecraft Engineering and AIV Manager, the Payload Managers and the Mission Science Division, and by participating in the Mission Advisory Group;
• establishing and monitoring the execution of a coherent satellite System Validation Test (SVT) program in close coordination with the Flight Operations Segment, for the purpose of combined satellite / flight operations and ground segments operations verification, as well as coordinating its implementation; 
• coordinating with the support of the Spacecraft Engineering and AIV Manager and the Payload Managers, and in cooperation with the Flight Operations Segment and Ground Segment teams, the preparation and execution of the Launch & Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) and the in-flight satellite commissioning, as well as relevant space segment hand-over activities;
• supporting the Payload Manager in the definition and implementation of on-ground calibration and validation activities;
• supporting the Spacecraft Engineering and AIV Manager to ensure appropriate commonality between AIT and operations procedures and databases, and to ensure that the onboard software development and validation is in line with operations requirements;
• liaising with the post-launch support team in the resolution of in-orbit anomalies involving appropriate expert support and ensuring any lessons learned are fed back into the project development;
• liaising with other project sections to ensure a consistent approach to satellite procurement, verification, launch and in-orbit operations preparations;

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• acting as the technical interface point between the ESA S6 and S3 NGT projects and external partners for the implementation of the relevant cooperation agreement for the space segment;
• coordinating and managing the necessary specialist technical support from other Directorates or Departments as required to meet the project objectives;
• supporting the organisation and conduction of relevant project reviews;
• contributing to the project’s risk management, identification, assessment and mitigation;
• providing regular reporting to the Project Manager on all aspects of the system and operations, identifying risks and problem areas, and proposing mitigation actions where appropriate;
• supporting the project’s general reporting tasks (monthly, QSR/QIR, and Mission Advisory Group) and other Department-level support activities as required.

In performing these duties, you will lead a section of engineers and liaise closely with the other project sections and other relevant Copernicus entities. You will be supported by a team of engineers shared among the Copernicus Space Component and by specialised engineering support from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality.

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 scientific or engineering discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Knowledge and experience with MBSE methods and tools is considered an asset.  
Experience in the definition and implementation of ground tools supporting satellite in-orbit commissioning activities would be desirable.

You should also have:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team in a project setting 
• the ability to organize the team activities and ensure a motivating work environment
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills
• the ability to drive the team’s performance, developing the 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 organizational 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.

Previous people management experience is an asset for the position, as is international experience, i.e. outside the candidate’s home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to the activities of ESA