Spacecraft Operations Engineer

Description

Spacecraft Operations Engineer in the Earth Observation Missions Division Mission Operations Department Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).

The Earth Observation Missions Division is responsible for the management definition and implementation of spacecraft operations and the flight operations segment of Copernicus Sentinels typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until the end of the mission.

Duties

You will initially be assigned to the Copernicus Sentinels Imaging Missions Operations Unit within the Earth Observation Missions Division and will report hierarchically to the Head of Unit and functionally to the missions Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM). The Unit is currently entrusted with the satellite operations of Sentinel-2 Sentinel-2NG LSTM and CHIME.

Your tasks will include the following:

• Assisting the SOMs in the definition preparation and execution of the missions operations assigned to the Unit including nominal special and contingency operations spacecraft and ground segment anomaly investigation and resolution performance evaluation and reporting;
• Performing the role of Acting SOM when delegated;
• Assisting the SOMs in the specification development validation maintenance and evolution of the ground segment systems and operational products required to conduct mission operations;
• Interfacing with other areas within the Agency industry the user community external centres and/or agencies for all aspects relating to your area of responsibility;
• Providing expert and functional support to ESA programmes and activities for example as Operations Architect in the area of mission operations ground and system validation and space-to-ground interfaces in line with ESAs matrix organisation;
• Providing support to the SOMs/Head of Unit in discharging the Units mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the Unit/Division. This may include participation in reviews preparations and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit the Division or the Department and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities.

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 masters degree in engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You should also:

• have a minimum of three years direct experience in flight operations;
• have demonstrated experience in planning tools used for multi-instrument planning including development tailoring/configuration setup and automation;
• have demonstrated experience interfacing with external and international partners for matters relating to instrument operations;
• demonstrate a strong capacity for teamwork;
• have a high level of self-motivation and autonomy and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.